Discharge performance of Zn‐air fuel cells under the influence of Carbopol 940 thickener

Abstract

Summary A dynamic research endeavor has been performed in this research study by constructing and operating an innovative flowing type anode (zinc gel) along with Carbopol 960 additives as thickener in a zinc‐air fuel cell. This gel constituted of a mixture of Zn powder, thickener, and potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte, and it was fueled into the cell with a peristaltic pump. The flowing Zn anode allowed the reaction‐produced water, carbonate, and zinc oxide (ZnO) to be discharged from the cell. Basic operating parameters of the fuel cell like the concentrations of the Zn powder, thickener, and electrolyte along with the number and grid density of the current collector grid, cell operation temperature, and air flow rate were all optimized for effective and enhanced fuel cell performance. It was determined based on voltage production along with current and energy density generation. The augmented experimental results were as follows; thickener concentration of 1 to 2 wt% was observed to be optimum above which the electrolyte acquired a solid state. The voltage production was stable at electrolyte concentrations of 60 to 65 wt% and Zn powder concentrations lower than 40 wt%, and concentrations greater than this resulted in reduced cell performance. The implementation of four current collector grids each with an opening density of 144 grid/cm2 had efficiently amplified cell performance. The ideal cell temperature was determined to be 40°C, and maximum cell production was attained at an air flow rate of 2 m/s. Consequently, effective improvement and advancement in the processes and operational parameters were achieved in this zinc‐air fuel cell with a state‐of‐the‐art anode fuel. This will surely provide great opportunities for their applications in the future.

Protection efficiencies of surface‐active inhibitors in zinc‐air batteries

“…Energy efficiency or power performance of the ZABs was evaluated by current density, cell voltage production and thereby plotting the polarization curves. 1,10 This curve analysis was carried out by determining the voltage output and calculating the current density production in the ZABs under various inhibitor concentrations. Figure 2A-C has displayed the voltage and current density production with respect to various inhibitors like Tween 20, SDBS and PEG 600, respectively.…”

“…The polar group is adsorbed on the Zn surface while the non‐polar group escape from the Zn surface to form a shielding layer that constrains Zn corrosion. Inhibitors like Indium, tetrabutyl ammonium bromide and lead oxide (PbO), 4 tetra alkyl ammonium hydroxide cellulose, 5 hydrocalumite, 6 bismuth oxide, 7 activated carbon, 8 polyethyleneimine, 9 carbopol 940, 10 and so on have been studied.…”

Electrochemical polarization analysis for optimization of external operation parameters in zinc fuel cells

“…The parameters optimized from this current study were implemented in the zinc fuel cell and it was operated for scrutinizing its performance. 37 The cell system was discharged at a current of 100 mA cm À2 , the termination voltage was set to 0.8 V, and the discharge time of the cell was measured at a xed current using 20 g of zinc particles. Fig.…”

Investigating the Performance of Rechargeable Zinc-Air Fuel Cell

“…The porous structure has a high active surface ratio, which improves reaction efficiency by increasing electrolyte molecule encounters [13]. The Zn particles have a greater surface area than a Zn plate, allowing for improved contact between the active metal and the electrolyte [14]. As a result, compared to Zn plates, Zn particles have the following advantages: (i) Zn particles have a larger surface area for reaction, which is desired; (ii) The particle anode with flowing electrolyte is very important because it may prevent the hydrogen evolution process (HER) and so improve cell performance and power output [15].To keep the electrochemical processes running and create electricity, fuel cells require a constant supply of fuel.…”