Dr. Jodie Lutkenhaus, an esteemed chemical engineering professor and associate department head at Texas A&M University, has made significant strides in overcoming challenges associated with polymer-air batteries, specifically addressing issues related to stability, kinetics, and conductivity. Her collaboration with chemical engineering professor Dr. Abdoulaye Djire resulted in a groundbreaking method utilizing a polymer as an anode in these batteries.
In a recent publication in the scientific journal Joule, Lutkenhaus sheds light on the intricacies of how these polymers store and exchange charge with the electrolyte. The key innovation lies in targeting a conjugated polymer with a rigid backbone structure for the anode. According to Lutkenhaus, this choice of polymer imparts both conductivity and stability to the battery, facilitating the necessary reversible reactions crucial for repeated charging and discharging cycles.
While aqueous polymer-air batteries offer advantages such as enhanced safety, reduced cost, higher ionic conductivity, and sustainability, the article underscores that their electrochemical performance faces limitations. To address these challenges, researchers have explored alternative polymer anodes, citing advantages like low cost, ease of functionalization, and high stability over traditional metal anodes.
The battery's rigid ladder structure, fast kinetics, and high electrical conductivity have enabled it to undergo 500 cycles with minimal performance loss. Furthermore, the article delves into the real-time charge transfer mechanism, showcasing a rapid hydronium ion charge compensation process.
A notable point highlighted in the article is the higher energy density of metal-air batteries compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. This superiority is attributed to the oxygen cathode, offering a much higher capacity than conventional metal oxide cathodes. However, challenges associated with metal anodes, including stability, cost, and environmental impact, have prompted researchers to explore polymer alternatives.
Issues such as dendrites, passivation, and corrosion on metal anodes contribute to low utilization and inferior cycling stability in metal-air batteries. Despite efforts involving interfacial modification and electrolyte formulation, these challenges persist, particularly in the presence of oxygen from the air.
Dr. Lutkenhaus emphasizes the polymer-air battery's potential as an alternative energy storage solution, citing its high capacity and extended cycle life. A longer cycle life implies that users can utilize these batteries for an extended period before needing to recharge or replace them.
“Air-based batteries are promising for high-energy applications because of their lower mass compared to conventional batteries,” Lutkenhaus states. However, she notes that long-term operation of air-based batteries often results in the generation of carbonate deposits that can clog the battery, hindering sustained operation. By leveraging a polymer as an electrode, the researchers propose a solution that involves changing the electrolyte to prevent the formation of carbonates, addressing a significant challenge in the field of polymer-air batteries.
Source: Texas A&M University College of Engineering