ENERGY DENSE METAL AIR BATTERIES:

TOMORROW’S POWER SOURCE?

Alexander Cross & Catherine Moran

Problems with Current Batteries Aluminum Air Magnesium Air Applications

• As technology has advanced, the need for • The overall reaction: 4Al+3O2+6H2O→4Al(OH)3 • Overall reaction: • The applications of a energy dense batteries are
better batteries has grown exponentially. +2.71V 2Mg+O2+2H2O→2Mg(OH)2 Eoverall=3.09V endless.
• There are several types of battery in production • Made of aluminum metal anode, electrolyte, • Made of magnesium anode, electrolyte, and a • Batteries that match the energy density of gasoline
with the most used ones being: lead-acid, nickel hydrophobic separator between electrolyte and cathode containing a catalyst, hydrophobic additives, have obvious applications in electric cars.
metal hydride, and lithium ions batteries. cathode, and porous carbon cathode with a catalyst and an external waterproof layer to prevent water • Batteries with such high levels of density
• Lithium-ion batteries are that newest technology • Obstacle 1: not electronically rechargeable- must be from entering the cell • Another important and less obvious application is
on the market and were first introduced to the replaced mechanically • Obstacle 1: discharges quickly, which reduces that of battery banks.
commercial market in the early 1990s -- more • Obstacle 2: anode discharges quickly reducing efficiency of battery and produces heat, requiring a • There are very commercially feasible battery
than 20 years ago. efficiency cooling system banks that are on the market, and the ones that
• While lithium-ion batteries have worked well for • Obstacle 3: corrosion between anode and • Obstacle 2: product of discharge is sluggish and are run on lithium-ion batteries.
many decades, and continue to improve, they electrolyte- can be lessened with alloys covers the bottom of the anode, reducing the • With the energy density provided by metal-air
do face definite limitations. • These obstacles generate heat, which cause water efficiency batteries, battery banks would be smaller and
• The first and foremost is that of maximum loss in the electrolyte and decreased lifetime of • Obstacle 3: corrosion between anode and more viable than ever before.
energy density, holding only 200 Watt Hours per battery electrolyte- can be lessened with alloys
Kg they are 10% as dense as gasoline and
other carbon based fuels.
• Batteries traditionally utilize two electrodes
Zinc Air Lithium Air
which are two pieces conductive material, which • Overall reaction: 2Zn+O2→2ZnO E0=+1.65V
are separated by the electrolyte solution. • Made of zinc anode, separator, and cathode made of • Overall reaction 4LiO2+2H2O +LiI→4LiOH+3O2
Electricity is released in the form of electrons catalytic active layer and gas diffusion layer. • Made of lithium anode, electrolyte, porous carbon
when a chemical reaction takes place between • Currently being used in hearing aids and watches in cathode, and iodine mediator
the two cathodes, facilitated by the electrolyte small scale • Iodine mediator is used to ensure that side reactions
solution. • Obstacles for Large Scale do not take place and to allow the battery to operate
• Obstacle 1: corrosion between anode and in higher water concentrations
electrolyte forms flammable hydrogen gas- better • Currently the most advanced and highly efficient
with zinc alloys • Specific type that could be ready for large scale
The Metal-Air Battery Solution • Obstacle 2: low lifetime when recharged commercial use in 10 years
• Metal-air batteries are 10 times more energy electronically- better lifetime when recharged
dense than lithium-ion, similar to gasoline. Example uses of battery pack on a home
mechanically
• Most versions are electronically rechargeable. • Obstacle 3: formation of dendrites on anode- can
• Work by having a metal anode and porous carbon cause battery to explode
cathode containing oxygen from the air, with Sustainability
electrolyte between the electrodes.
• Current research shows that they could be ready • Both of the applications mentioned above have
in as few as 10 years. major implications in terms of sustainability.
• Electric vehicles that have similar range to gasoline
would be a game changer and would help to reduce
(

Energy our carbon emissions.

Energy
Density • Battery banks with the capacity to power homes and
Voltage Density businesses would boost the renewable energy
Metal (volts) (Wh/kg) (Wh/L)
sector
MgO 3.03 4032 14400 • Solar panels and wind turbines would be able to
Li2O2 2.98 3487 8050 produce electricity when environmental conditions
Li2O 2.93 5252 10600 make it possible.
Al2O3 2.75 4332 17300 • This electricity would then be stored in batteries
ZnO 1.68 1109 6220 Diagram of Lithium Air Battery allowing for use when electricity isn’t being
produced, removing the need for on demand
Diagram of Zinc, Magnesium, and Aluminum Air Batteries carbon based generation methods.