Liquid-Metal-Coated Zinc Anode for Corrosion and Dendrite Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Zinc-based anodes in aqueous zinc batteries corrode in weakly acidic electrolytes, leading to uneven current concentration, formation of insulating byproducts, and dendrite formation, which deteriorate battery performance and stability, and the use of vanadium oxide cathodes results in byproduct formation that affects pH and battery performance.
Innovation Solution
A composite anode material is developed with a metal layer and a liquid metal coating layer, including metals like gallium and indium, and a protective and outer ion-permeable polymer layer to prevent corrosion and dendrite formation, enhancing corrosion resistance and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If zinc metal is used as the anode material, then high theoretical capacity is achieved, but corrosion reaction occurs in weakly acidic electrolyte leading to dendrite formation and poor stability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure consisting of a zinc metal layer combined with a liquid metal coating layer containing gallium, indium, and/or tin. This composite material approach allows the zinc layer to provide high theoretical capacity while the liquid metal coating provides corrosion resistance and prevents dendrite formation, thereby resolving the contradiction between capacity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid metal coating layer is applied specifically on the surface of the zinc metal layer, creating different properties in different regions. The inner zinc layer maintains its high capacity characteristics while the outer coating layer provides localized protection against corrosion and dendrite formation, addressing the reliability issue without sacrificing overall capacity
2Reliability
If liquid metal coating layer is added to improve corrosion resistance, then stability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid metal coating layer is applied as a thin film on the zinc metal layer. This thin film approach provides the necessary corrosion protection and stability enhancement while minimizing the increase in device complexity and maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid metal coating layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides corrosion resistance, prevents dendrite formation, and maintains electrochemical activity. This multi-functionality allows a single additional layer to address multiple reliability issues without proportionally increasing device complexity
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 composite anode material significantly improves corrosion resistance and extends battery life, preventing dendrite formation and maintaining stable battery operation for tens of times longer than conventional zinc anodes.
Implementation Method 1
the corrosion resistance is improved compared to existing Zn
Implementation Method 2
Zn metal that is generally used as the anode of an aqueous zinc battery naturally undergoes a corrosion reaction when exposed to a weakly acidic electrolyte
Implementation Method 3
dendrites are not formed during the Zn deposition process
Implementation Method 4
the deposition and dissolution processes of Zn
Implementation Method 5
OH− ions formed along with a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example of the present invention, provided are a secondary battery composite anode, including: a metal layer that includes a first metal; and a liquid metal coating layer that is formed on the metal layer and includes a metal different from the first metal, in which the metal different from the first metal is included in a grain boundary of the first metal, a method for manufacturing the same, a secondary battery including the composite anode.