Gap width modification on fully screen-printed coplanar Zn|MnO2 batteries

Abstract

Fully printed primary zinc-manganese dioxide (Zn|MnO2) batteries in coplanar configuration were fabricated by sequential screen printing. While electrode dimensions and transferred active masses were kept at constant levels, electrode separating gaps were incrementally enlarged from 1 mm to 5 mm. Calendering of solely zinc anodes increased interparticle contact of active material within the electrodes while the porosity of manganese dioxide based electrodes was maintained by non-calendering. Chronopotentiometry revealed areal capacities for coplanar batteries up to 2.8 mAh cm -2 . Galvanostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (GEIS) measurements and short circuit measurements were used to comprehensively characterise the effect of gap width extension on bulk electrolyte resistance and charge transfer resistance values. Linear relationships between nominal gap widths, short circuit currents and internal resistances were evidenced, but showed only minor impact on actual discharge capacities. The findings contradict previous assumptions to minimise gap widths of printed coplanar batteries to a sub-millimetre range in order to retain useful discharge capacities. The results presented in this study may facilitate process transfer of printed batteries to an industrial environment.

Insights into Influencing Electrode Calendering on the Battery Performance

“…The effects of calendering on Zn|MnO 2 batteries were also investigated on both Zn and MnO 2 electrodes. [231,232] Calendering reduces the layer thickness of both electrodes and the micropore surface area of the MnO 2 cathode, which is a drawback for discharge capability and cycling life. The batteries with a calendered MnO 2 cathode showed about 40% lower discharge capacities than the uncalendered electrodes for identical discharge conditions.…”

Flexible and Wearable Power Sources for Next‐Generation Wearable Electronics

“…However, high resistivity of the printed devices and difficulty in the preparation of printing ink formulations are major challenges. Excitingly, fully printed batteries such as zinc−air battery, [46] lithium‐ion battery, [47] zinc−manganese dioxide battery [48] have been developed in recent years to reduce the process steps and streamline the process flow. Further efforts are still in urgent need towards extensive commercialization of printed wearable power sources.…”

The Strategy of Achieving Flexibility in Materials and Configuration of Flexible Lithium‐Ion Batteries

“…In addition, the use of solar energy will not cause as much pollution and damage to the environment as the use of other energy sources. [ 25,26 ] Also, in respect of the electrolyte materials, different flexible battery, such as sodium‐ion batteries, [ 27 ] lithium manganese batteries, [ 28 ] zinc‐manganese batteries, [ 29–31 ] and flexible supercapacitors [ 32–34 ] are reported.…”