A Zinc-Based Alloy Anode Approach for Suppressing Hydrogen Evolution in Aqueous Battery Anodes

Zinc-based batteries are currently of high interest due to its ultra-safe, low-cost, high rechargeability, and high performability characteristics. Zinc-based batteries typically operate under different electrolytes; one of which, the alkaline electrolyte has been observed to show a better performance when the air cathodes in Zn-air batteries have a lower overpotential. The main focus of this presentation addresses the use of zinc-based alloys as anodes in order to suppress the hydrogen evolution that takes place within a battery. By utilizing the alloy-Zn material, instead of the pure Zn material, there will be more stability within the battery due to decreased levels of spontaneous self-discharge, thus, minimizing the hydrogen evolution reaction. In this study, coin cells were assembled containing different electrodes in order to investigate the battery performance of the CP-Ag electrode. When cycled at 5C, the CP-Ag electrode showed a better cycling performance. The CP-Ag electrode achieves a high discharge capacity of 430 mAh/g and a high Columbic efficiency of 87%. Since the alkaline electrolyte is preferred due to its higher performance results, it was coupled with the Zn alloy as an anode in order to suppress the problematic hydrogen evolution and water reduction that occurs in the presence of an alkaline electrolyte. Ultimately, the assembled battery will have an increased shelf-life, lower self-discharge and as a result, a successful suppression of hydrogen evolution and water reduction reactions.