Korean Journal of Materials Research (한국재료학회지)

Materials Research Society of Korea (한국재료학회)
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Effects of Electrolyte Concentration on Electrochemical Properties of Zinc-Air Batteries

전해질 농도에 따른 아연-공기 전지의 전기화학적 특성

  • Han, Ji Woo (Department of Advanced Material & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Halla University) ;
  • Jo, Yong Nam (Department of Advanced Material & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Halla University)
  • 한지우 (한라대학교 신소재화학공학과) ;
  • 조용남 (한라대학교 신소재화학공학과)
  • Received : 2019.11.07
  • Accepted : 2019.11.19
  • Published : 2019.12.27
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Abstract

The self-discharge behavior of zinc-air batteries is a critical issue induced by corrosion and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of zinc anode. The corrosion reaction and HER can be controlled by a gelling agent and concentration of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. Various concentrations of KOH solution and polyacrylic acid have been used for gel electrolyte. The electrolyte solution is prepared with different concentrations of KOH (6 M, 7 M, 8 M, 9 M). Among studied materials, the cell assembled with 6 M KOH gel electrolyte exhibits the highest specific discharge capacity and poor capacity retention. Whereas, 9 M KOH gel electrolyte shows high capacity retention. However, a large amount of hydrogen gas is evolved with 9 M KOH solution. In general, the increase in concentration is related to ionic conductivity. At concentrations above 7 M, the viscosity increases and the conductivity decreases. As a result, compared to other studied materials, 7 M KOH gel electrolyte is suitable for Zn-air batteries because of its higher capacity retention (92.00 %) and specific discharge capacity (351.80 mAh/g) after 6 hr storage.

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References

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