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Electrode Composite for Flexible Zinc–Manganese Dioxide Batteries through In Situ Polymerization of Polymer Hydrogel
Author(s) -
Zamarayeva Alla M.,
Jegraj Akshaya,
Toor Anju,
Pister Veronika I.,
Chang Cheryl,
Chou Austin,
Evans James W.,
Arias Ana Claudia
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
energy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2194-4296
pISSN - 2194-4288
DOI - 10.1002/ente.201901165
Subject(s) - materials science , battery (electricity) , electrode , energy storage , polyacrylic acid , composite number , chemical engineering , polymer , nanotechnology , composite material , chemistry , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
It remains important to maximize energy density of wearable batteries. In addition, such batteries should be compliant, safe, and environmentally sustainable. Intrinsically safe zinc–manganese dioxide (Zn/MnO 2 ) batteries are great candidates for powering wearables. However, achieving flexibility of these systems is hindered by the absence of a binder that ensures mechanical integrity of the MnO 2 electrode composite. Herein, a unique approach to fabricate a mechanically robust MnO 2 electrode is presented. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) gel cross‐linked in situ via thermal treatment is used as a binder for the electrode. Furthermore, energy density and rate capability of the printed battery electrodes are improved by replacing graphite with single‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The batteries retain 93% capacity when the discharge rate is increased from C/10 to C/3, as well as 97% of their capacity after being flexed. In contrast, batteries based on conventional composition retain 60% and 23% of the capacity, respectively. Finally, the battery with the modified electrode has high areal energy density of 4.8 mWh cm −2 and volumetric energy density of 320 mWh cm −3 .