Layered Zinc Battery Cathodes for Solvated Ion Intercalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rechargeable zinc batteries using vanadium oxides have low discharge voltages due to the relatively low redox potential of transition metals like V4+/V5+, V3+/V4+, and V2+/V3+, requiring multiple cells in series to achieve a given voltage, and existing positive electrode materials for zinc ion batteries are not suitable for accommodating solvated zinc cations.
Innovation Solution
A layered electrode material with redox active metal centers, such as manganese, chromium, iron, or cobalt, and a closely-packed anionic sublattice, which includes interlamellar spaces that can accommodate solvated zinc cations via intercalation, providing a higher average metal oxidation state and increased d-spacing to fit solvated zinc ions, thereby enhancing voltage and capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If vanadium oxides are used as positive electrode material, then the battery can achieve reversible zinc ion intercalation with high specific capacity, but the discharge voltage is low due to low redox potential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the redox potential parameter by replacing vanadium-based materials with nickel, cobalt, or iron-based layered materials that have higher redox potentials, thereby increasing the discharge voltage while maintaining the reversible intercalation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite layered materials such as Ni1-xMx(OH)2 or Co1-xMx(OH)2 where M represents doping elements, combining the benefits of high voltage with enhanced structural stability and zinc ion intercalation capability
2Power
If Li-ion positive electrode materials with layered structures are used, then higher voltage can be achieved, but the basal-plane spacing is too small to accommodate solvated zinc cations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the interlayer spacing parameter by introducing hydration water molecules between the layered sheets, expanding the basal-plane spacing from the typical 4.6-4.8 Å of Li-ion materials to sufficient spacing that can accommodate the larger solvated zinc cations while preserving the high voltage characteristics of transition metal-based materials
3Quantity of substance
If clay materials with high cation exchange capacity are used, then zinc ion intercalation is enabled, but no redox active metals are present in the slab layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite structures where redox-active transition metal hydroxide or oxide layers (providing redox potential) are combined with hydrated layered structures containing intercalated water molecules and cations (providing ion exchange capacity), thereby achieving both high voltage and high zinc ion intercalation capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The layered electrode material increases the discharge voltage of zinc batteries to 1-3 V, improving energy efficiency and cycle stability by allowing reversible intercalation of solvated zinc ions without phase transformation, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional materials.
Implementation Method 1
The layered electrode material accepts solvated zinc cations via intercalation into the interlamellar space upon reduction
Implementation Method 2
An active metal slab layer includes a plurality of redox active metal centers, M
Data Source
AI summary
Layered electrode materials, positive electrodes, rechargeable zinc batteries, and methods are provided. A layered electrode material for use in a rechargeable zinc battery includes a plurality of active metal slab layers in a layered configuration. The active metal slab layer includes a plurality of redox active metal centers and a closely-packed anionic sublattice. A plurality of interlamellar spaces separate adjacent active metal slab layers in the layered configuration. The interlamellar space includes at least one pillar species. The layered electrode material has a combined average metal oxidation state in a range of +3 to +4 in an initial charged state. The layered electrode material accepts solvated zinc cations via intercalation into the interlamellar space upon reduction.