Zinc-Ion Battery Electrodes Using Layered Vanadium Oxides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery technologies, such as lithium ion batteries, face limitations in cost, safety, and durability, making them unsuitable for large-scale stationary grid storage, while aqueous zinc-ion batteries with metallic zinc electrodes offer a promising alternative due to their high energy density, safety, and ease of manufacturing and recycling, but require robust and cost-effective positive electrode materials for high rate and long-term reversible zinc ion intercalation storage.
Innovation Solution
The development of rechargeable zinc-ion batteries utilizing layered or tunnelled structure vanadium/molybdenum oxides with neutral/cationic/anionic species and/or water molecules in nano/microparticle morphology as positive electrodes, coupled with metallic zinc negative electrodes and an aqueous electrolyte containing a soluble zinc salt, providing a stable and efficient zinc ion intercalation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium ion batteries are used to achieve high energy density, then energy storage performance is improved, but cost and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrolyte parameter from non-aqueous (lithium ion) to aqueous (zinc ion), fundamentally altering the chemical environment to achieve both high safety through water-based chemistry and maintained energy density through zinc's favorable electrochemical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts the successful intercalation mechanism from lithium ion batteries and applies it to zinc ion systems, copying the proven technology pathway while substituting zinc for lithium to achieve improved safety and cost-effectiveness
2Ease of manufacture
If metallic zinc negative electrodes are used to achieve high energy density and ease of assembly, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but hydrogen evolution and safety issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aqueous electrolyte containing zinc salt as an intermediary medium that enables reversible zinc ion intercalation at the positive electrode, allowing metallic zinc to be used without direct water reaction, thus preventing hydrogen evolution while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The aqueous electrolyte creates a chemically controlled environment that protects metallic zinc from direct reaction with water, effectively creating an inert chemical atmosphere that prevents harmful hydrogen evolution while allowing zinc's beneficial properties to manifest
3Quantity of substance
If vanadium or molybdenum based electrode materials are used to achieve large specific capacities, then energy storage capacity is improved, but structural stability during cycling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite vanadium/molybdenum oxide materials with layered or tunnelled structures that combine high specific capacity with inherent structural stability, where the layered architecture provides multiple redox states for high capacity while maintaining structural integrity during repeated zinc ion intercalation cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials with layered or tunnelled porous structures that accommodate zinc ion insertion and extraction, providing both high specific capacity through multiple redox states and structural stability through the robust framework that prevents collapse during cycling
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
This configuration achieves high specific capacities and long-term cyclability, with operating voltages within safe limits, enabling high energy density and power density performance, making them viable for large-scale applications like grid storage.
Implementation Method 1
robust materials for high rate and long term reversible Zn2+ ion intercalation storage at the positive electrode
Implementation Method 2
zinc has (a) high abundance and large production which makes it inexpensive; (b) non-toxicity; (c) low redox potential (−0.76 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)) compared to other negative electrode materials used in aqueous batteries
Implementation Method 3
an aqueous electrolyte is may have a pH in a range of 1 to 9 and contains a soluble zinc salt which may be in a concentration range from 0.01 to 10 molar
Implementation Method 4
The additional presence of interlayer neutral molecules, ions, metal ions and/or water of hydration in such layered oxides act as pillars, providing structural stability during long term charge discharge cycling
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a rechargeable Zn battery based on layered/tunnelled structure vanadium/molybdenum oxides, with/without the presence of neutral/cationic/anionic species and/or water molecules inserted into the interlayers/tunnels, of nano/microparticle morphology as robust materials for high rate and long term reversible Zn2+ ion intercalation storage at the positive electrode, that are coupled with a metallic Zn negative electrode, and an aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode may include electronically conducting additives and one or more binders along with the Zn2+ intercalation material: the negative electrode is Zn metal in any form; the aqueous electrolyte is of pH 1 to 9 and contains a soluble zinc salt in a concentration range from 0.01 to 10 molar.