Effects of strain-induced melt activation treatment on the microstructure and properties of Zn sacrificial anodes

Abstract

The microstructural properties and electrochemical performance of zinc (Zn) sacrificial anodes during strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) were investigated in this study. The samples were subjected to a compressive ratio of 20%-50% at various temperatures (425-435°C) and durations (5-30 min). Short-term electrochemical tests (anode tests) based on DNV-RP-B401 and potentiodynamic polarization tests were performed in 3.5wt% NaCl solution to evaluate the electrochemical efficiency and corrosion behavior of the samples, respectively. The electrochemical test results for the optimum sample confirmed that the corrosion current density declined by 90% and the anode efficiency slightly decreased relative to that of the raw sample. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, metallographic images, and microhardness profiles showed the accumulation of alloying elements on the boundary and the conversion of uniform corrosion into localized corrosion, hence the decrease of the Zn sacrificial anode's efficiency after the SIMA process.

Editorial for special issue on advanced materials for energy storage and conversion

“…Particularly, developing high-performance electrodes plays a critical role in the practical application of these promising battery technologies in the future. For example, Qin et al [13] 1 creased interlayer distance of 1.31 nm by Ba 2+ and H 2 O preintercalation, the obtained BaVO nanobelts showed an excellent initial discharge capacity of 378 mAh•g −1 at 0.1 A•g −1 , a great rate performance (172 mAh•g −1 at 5 A•g −1 ), and a superior capacity retention (93% after 2000 cycles at 5 A•g −1 ). Boroujeny et al [14] investigated the microstructural properties and electrochemical performance of Zn sacrificial anodes during strain-induced melt activation.…”