Zinc Secondary Battery Electrolyte Composition for Cycle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries with zinc negative electrodes face challenges in suppressing zinc deterioration and enhancing charge/discharge continuity.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery design incorporating a zinc negative electrode, a metal fiber sheet positive electrode, and an electrolytic solution with a total concentration of supporting electrolytes between 5 mass % and 50 mass %, along with specific anion and cation selections, pH adjustments, and the use of metal nanowires connected to the metal fiber sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrolytic solutions are used in zinc-based secondary batteries, then the battery structure is simple, but zinc electrode deterioration occurs and charge/discharge continuity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration of supporting electrolytes to 5-50 mass% and controlling pH within specific ranges (13 or more, or 4 or more and less than 7). It also specifies using supporting electrolytes with anion valences of 2 or more, such as sulfates, carbonates, nitrates, and borates. These parameter optimizations suppress zinc electrode deterioration and enhance charge/discharge continuity without requiring complex structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple supporting electrolytes with different anions (sulfate, carbonate, nitrate, sulfite, perchlorate, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate) and cations (lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc). This composite electrolyte system works synergistically to prevent zinc dendrite formation and improve electrode stability, achieving enhanced reliability through material composition rather than structural complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If zinc is used as negative electrode material, then theoretical capacity is high, but zinc deterioration occurs during cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the high theoretical capacity of zinc by optimizing electrolyte parameters: supporting electrolyte concentration (5-50 mass%), pH control (≥13 or 4≤pH<7), and anion valence (≥2). These parameter changes create a stable electrochemical environment that prevents zinc dissolution and dendrite formation, thereby maintaining both high capacity and electrode stability during cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces supporting electrolytes as intermediary substances that mediate between the zinc negative electrode and the positive electrode. These electrolytes (containing anions like sulfate, carbonate, nitrate with valence ≥2) form protective interfaces on the zinc surface, preventing direct harmful interactions while allowing ionic transport, thus preserving zinc stability without sacrificing capacity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If supporting electrolyte concentration is increased to suppress zinc deterioration, then electrode stability improves, but solution viscosity increases and ion mobility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the supporting electrolyte concentration within the specific range of 5-50 mass%, avoiding both too-low concentrations (which fail to protect the electrode) and too-high concentrations (which increase viscosity and reduce ion mobility). This parameter optimization balances electrode stability with maintained ion transport speed, achieving both goals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using supporting electrolytes with anion valences of 2 or more (such as sulfates, carbonates, nitrates) that provide enhanced protective effects at the electrode interface. These electrolytes form more effective protective layers at lower concentrations compared to monovalent electrolytes, thus maintaining ion mobility while improving electrode stability through localized quality enhancement at the electrode-electrolyte interface.
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 proposed design significantly enhances charge/discharge continuity and suppresses electrode deterioration, leading to improved battery performance and capacity retention over multiple cycles.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic solution having at least one or more types of supporting electrolytes dissolved therein, in which a total concentration of the supporting electrolytes is 5 mass % or more and 50 mass % or less based on the entire electrolytic solution
Implementation Method 2
Zinc is an element having a property of reversibly mediating an electrochemical reaction and large theoretical capacity
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a secondary battery having a zinc negative electrode enhanced in charge/discharge continuity. The secondary battery 10 having a zinc negative electrode according to an embodiment includes a positive electrode 20 having a metal fiber sheet, a negative electrode 30 containing zinc, and an electrolytic solution 40 having at least one or more types of supporting electrolytes dissolved therein. The total concentration of the supporting electrolytes is 5 mass % or more and 50 mass % or less based on the entire electrolytic solution.