Printed Transparent Thin Film Zn-MnO₂Battery

Abstract

In this work, transparent thin film zinc-manganese dioxide (Zn-MnO 2 ) batteries were fabricated using an inexpensive screen-printing technique. Both electrodes were fabricated as micro-electrode arrays with feature size of 50 μm, which are below resolution of human eyes. Thus, the electrodes appeared transparent. Moreover, a transparent alkaline polymer gel electrolyte (PGE) film prepared by polymerization of acrylate, potassium hydroxide and water was used as a quasi-solid-state electrolyte. The PGE film functioned as both an electrolyte and an insulator/separator. Three patterns of the micro-electrodes with different percentages of opening area (75%, 80% and 85%) were investigated. The open-circuit voltages of the batteries fabricated were 1.25 V. Ohmic loss zones were 0.1-2.0 mA.cm −2 . The battery with an opening area of 80% provided an average transparency of 90% without significantly affecting battery performance. Moreover, energy density of the battery could be further increased by increasing the thickness of the electrodes. By increasing the thickness of the micro-electrodes upto 80 μm, energy density of the battery was significantly enhanced without loosing its transparency.

Recent Advances in Polymer Electrolytes for Zinc Ion Batteries: Mechanisms, Properties, and Perspectives

“…However, owing to the inharmonious consequence of polymer matrix and alkaline solution, the mechanical strengths of polymer electrolytes are generally insufficient. Lao‐atiman et al156 applied PAA as a transparent thin film electrolyte for Zn–MnO 2 battery by a screen‐printing method, utilizing the mechanical property of PAA. Kumar et al157 constructed an all printed and stretchable Zn‐Ag 2 O battery with a poly‐styrene‐block‐polyisoprene‐block‐polystyrene (SIS) binder and PAA‐based electrolyte.…”

MnO2 Heterostructure on Carbon Nanotubes as Cathode Material for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

“…In addition, Zn has a higher specific volumetric capacity compared to that of lithium viz. 5855 and 2066 mAh cm −3 , respectively [ 17 ]. As compared to lithium, Zn is lower in cost and highly abundant [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Model-Based Analysis of an Integrated Zinc-Air Flow Battery/Zinc Electrolyzer System

“…Zinc-air batteries are a promising ESS because of their high practical specific energy, up to 700 Wh/kg (Li et al, 2013). Zinc (Zn) is also an attractive anodic active material because it is non-toxic, safe, abundant and low-cost (Lao-atiman et al, 2017). Besides, Zn exhibits high stability and reversibility during charge-discharge cycle (Zhu et al, 2016).…”