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Utilizing solar energy to improve the oxygen evolution reaction kinetics in zinc–air battery

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaorui Liu

    (Tianjin University)

  • Yifei Yuan

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

  • Jie Liu

    (Tianjin University)

  • Bin Liu

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Xu Chen

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Jia Ding

    (Tianjin University)

  • Xiaopeng Han

    (Tianjin University)

  • Yida Deng

    (Tianjin University)

  • Cheng Zhong

    (Tianjin University
    Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University)

  • Wenbin Hu

    (Tianjin University
    Joint School of National University of Singapore and Tianjin University, International Campus of Tianjin University)

Abstract

Directly harvesting solar energy for battery charging represents an ultimate solution toward low-cost, green, efficient and sustainable electrochemical energy storage. Here, we design a sunlight promotion strategy into rechargeable zinc–air battery with significantly reduced charging potential below the theoretical cell voltage of zinc–air batteries. The sunlight-promoted zinc–air battery using BiVO4 or α-Fe2O3 air photoelectrode achieves a record-low charge potential of ~1.20 and ~1.43 V, respectively, under illumination, which is lowered by ~0.5–0.8 V compared to the typical charge voltage of ~2 V in conventional zinc–air battery. The band structure and photoelectrochemical stability of photoelectrodes are found to be key factors determining the charging performance of sunlight-promoted zinc–air batteries. The introduction of photoelectrode as an air electrode opens a facile way for developing integrated single-unit zinc–air batteries that can efficiently use solar energy to overcome the high charging overpotential of conventional zinc–air batteries.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaorui Liu & Yifei Yuan & Jie Liu & Bin Liu & Xu Chen & Jia Ding & Xiaopeng Han & Yida Deng & Cheng Zhong & Wenbin Hu, 2019. "Utilizing solar energy to improve the oxygen evolution reaction kinetics in zinc–air battery," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-12627-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12627-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuwei Zhong & Bin Liu & Zequan Zhao & Yuanhao Shen & Xiaorui Liu & Cheng Zhong, 2021. "Influencing Factors of Performance Degradation of Zinc–Air Batteries Exposed to Air," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-11, May.
    2. Leong, Kee Wah & Wang, Yifei & Ni, Meng & Pan, Wending & Luo, Shijing & Leung, Dennis Y.C., 2022. "Rechargeable Zn-air batteries: Recent trends and future perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).

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