Charging/Discharging Mechanisms of Manganese Oxide Positive Electrodes in Zinc-Ion Batteries

Public awareness of global climate change resulting from greenhouse gas emission has led to increasing utilization of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. These sources are inherently intermittent in nature, necessitating effective methods of storing power for later use. Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising candidate, since zinc is widely available and inexpensive. ZIBs use a high-capacity zinc metal anode, metal oxide positive electrodes and aqueous electrolytes, with energy/power densities similar to lithium-ion (LIBs) batteries. ZIBs have several advantages compared with LIBs, including improved safety, eco-friendliness and simpler manufacturing conditions. There are, however, drawbacks such as poor efficiency, the formation of byproducts and rapid capacity fading of metal oxide electrodes during battery cycling. The key to increasing efficiency and stability is to design new, high-capacity Zn-ion electrode materials, which will then be coupled with novel zinc electrodes developed by the industrial partner, Salient Energy, Inc. The ultimate aim is to assist Salient in fabricating ZIBs.

Faculty Supervisor:

Douglas Ivey

Student:

Michael Clark;Thuy Nguyen Thanh Tran

Partner:

Salient Energy

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Alberta