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Solid‐State Rechargeable Zinc–Air Battery with Long Shelf Life Based on Nanoengineered Polymer Electrolyte
Author(s) -
Lin Chao,
Shinde Sambhaji S.,
Li Xiaopeng,
Kim DongHyung,
Li Nanwen,
Sun Yu,
Song Xiaokai,
Zhang Haojie,
Lee Chi Ho,
Lee Sang Uck,
Lee JungHo
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201801274
Subject(s) - electrolyte , membrane , chemical engineering , zinc , battery (electricity) , polyvinyl alcohol , polymer , materials science , alkali metal , inorganic chemistry , surface modification , chemistry , nanotechnology , electrode , organic chemistry , biochemistry , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Zinc–air batteries (ZABs) are vulnerable to the ambient environment (e.g., humidity and CO 2 ), and have serious selfdischarge issues, resulting in a short shelf life. To overcome these challenges, a near‐neutral quaternary ammonium (QA) functionalized polyvinyl alcohol electrolyte membrane (different from conventional alkali‐type membranes) has been developed. QA functionalization leads to the formation of interconnected nanochannels by creating hydrophilic/‐phobic separations at the nanoscale. These nanochannels selectively transport OH − ions with a reduced migration barrier, while inhibiting [Zn(NH 3 ) 6 ] 2+ crossover. Owing to the superior water retention ability and enhanced chemical stability of the membrane, the solid‐state zinc–air battery (SZAB) displays outstanding flexibility, a promising cycle lifetime, and a large volumetric energy density. More importantly, the self‐discharge rate of SZAB is depressed to less than 7 % per month, and the fully dehydrated SZAB could recover its rechargeability upon replenishment of the solution of NH 4 Cl.