Zinc Electrode Morphology Evolution in High Energy Density Nickel-Zinc Batteries

Abstract EN

Prismatic Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) batteries with energy densities higher than 100 Wh kg−1 were prepared using Zn electrodes with different initial morphologies.

The effect of initial morphology of zinc electrode on battery capacity was investigated.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveal that initial morphology of zinc electrode changes drastically after a few charge/discharge cycles regardless of initial ZnO powder used.

ZnO electrodes prepared using ZnO powders synthesized from ZnCl2 and Zn(NO3)2 lead to average battery energy densities ranging between 92 Wh kg−1 and 109 Wh kg−1 while using conventional ZnO powder leads to a higher energy density, 118 Wh kg−1.

Average discharge capacities of zinc electrodes vary between 270 and 345 mA g−1, much lower than reported values for nano ZnO powders in literature.

Higher electrode surface area or higher electrode discharge capacity does not necessarily translate to higher battery energy density.