Transformation and migration in secondary zinc-air batteries studied by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray tomography

TY - JOUR

T1 - Transformation and migration in secondary zinc-air batteries studied by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray tomography

AU - Christensen, Mathias Kjærgård

AU - Mathiesen, Jette Katja

AU - Simonsen, Søren Bredmose

AU - Norby, Poul

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - There are numerous challenges associated with developing secondary Zn-air batteries regarding e.g., power density and cycle life. Some of the challenges are related to morphological changes in the anode during cycling due to combined electrochemical and chemical processes involved in the reversible Zn-ZnO transformation. We present a unique in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction study, where a combination of time and spatial resolution allows information about transformation and transport in a Zn/ZnO anode during discharge/charge operation to be obtained. By tracking Zn and ZnO reflections during cycling of two Zn-air batteries we see that the conversion of these phases is accompanied by transport into the anode and the anode configuration does not return to its initial state after recharge due to ZnO migration to other parts of the battery. During charge Zn metal is deposited as a microcrystalline material, changing the morphology and phase distribution in the anode. The XRD results were supported by qualitative in situ X-ray computed tomography that confirms depletion of ZnO and non-homogeneous distribution of Zn.

AB - There are numerous challenges associated with developing secondary Zn-air batteries regarding e.g., power density and cycle life. Some of the challenges are related to morphological changes in the anode during cycling due to combined electrochemical and chemical processes involved in the reversible Zn-ZnO transformation. We present a unique in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction study, where a combination of time and spatial resolution allows information about transformation and transport in a Zn/ZnO anode during discharge/charge operation to be obtained. By tracking Zn and ZnO reflections during cycling of two Zn-air batteries we see that the conversion of these phases is accompanied by transport into the anode and the anode configuration does not return to its initial state after recharge due to ZnO migration to other parts of the battery. During charge Zn metal is deposited as a microcrystalline material, changing the morphology and phase distribution in the anode. The XRD results were supported by qualitative in situ X-ray computed tomography that confirms depletion of ZnO and non-homogeneous distribution of Zn.

U2 - 10.1039/c8ta11554k

DO - 10.1039/c8ta11554k

M3 - Journal article

SN - 2050-7488

VL - 7

SP - 6459

EP - 6466

JO - Journal of Materials Chemistry A

JF - Journal of Materials Chemistry A

IS - 11

ER -