WO2016178184A1 - Partitioned zinc electrode - Google Patents

Partitioned zinc electrode Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016178184A1
WO2016178184A1 PCT/IB2016/052592 IB2016052592W WO2016178184A1 WO 2016178184 A1 WO2016178184 A1 WO 2016178184A1 IB 2016052592 W IB2016052592 W IB 2016052592W WO 2016178184 A1 WO2016178184 A1 WO 2016178184A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
zinc
electrode
partitioning wall
active mass
partitioning
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2016/052592
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French (fr)
Inventor
Suren Martirosyan
Didier Guillonnet
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Suren Martirosyan
Didier Guillonnet
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Publication date
Application filed by Suren Martirosyan, Didier Guillonnet filed Critical Suren Martirosyan
Publication of WO2016178184A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016178184A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M12/00—Hybrid cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M12/08—Hybrid cells; Manufacture thereof composed of a half-cell of a fuel-cell type and a half-cell of the secondary-cell type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/64—Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/18—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules
    • B60L58/21—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules having the same nominal voltage
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/24—Electrodes for alkaline accumulators
    • H01M4/244—Zinc electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/20—Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Definitions

  • the present invention is concerned with electrically rechargeable Zinc-electrode containing batteries and especially electrically rechargeable Zinc-Air batteries.
  • Zinc-Air batteries are famous for their energy density comparable to Li-ion batteries (at least 3 to 6 times more than Lead-Acid batteries) and their low cost per kWh (comparable or cheaper than Lead-Acid batteries and 5 to 10 times cheaper than Li-ion batteries).
  • the minimum requirement for Electric Scooters would be something like: at least 70 Wh/kg Energy Density; 15 W/kg average Power Density and 6 months service life with 200 cycles.
  • the active mass of zinc electrode tends to densify, i.e. agglomerate within some part of the electrode (usually in between the mid-part and bottom-part of the electrode) occupying some stinted space. Over time this space shrinks, while the active mass becomes denser. Hence, this active mass losses its surface area and porosity with follow-up consequences for the electrode (polarization increases, passivation enhances, active mass utilization drops with the eventual death of the cell). Shape-change holds for the whole electrode. In advanced shape-change cases, some parts of current collector could become naked, while the relocated/ redistributed active mass could take well-defined boundaries. Redistributed active mass has an increased thickness which is very undesirable in many respects since it can damage the separator and cell and cause short-circuiting.
  • the invention intends to obviate the prior art problems.
  • the invention relates to a Zinc-electrode for the use in an alkaline electrolyte secondary battery, having a body consisting essentially of the active mass of said zinc electrode, said active mass comprising at least one essentially planar surface to be in contact with the electrolyte, said essentially planar surface being advantageously provided in a vertical position during charging/discharging sessions of said alkaline secondary battery,
  • said zinc-electrode includes at least one partitioning wall, said at least one partitioning wall being part of the body of the electrode, said at least one partitioning wall being advantageously substantially perpendicular to said essentially planar surface, and said at least one partitioning wall interrupting the active mass of the electrode such that the active mass is divided into at least two smaller volumes of active mass, said at least two smaller volumes of active mass being separated from each other by said at least one partitioning wall,
  • said smaller volume defining essentially planar sub-surfaces of said at least one essentially planar surface
  • said partitioning wall being resistant to strong alkaline solutions.
  • said at least one partitioning wall is preventing migration and diffusion of zinc and zinc-containing compounds between said at least two smaller volumes of active mass.
  • the invention is based on the surprising observation made by the inventors that inserting partitions (i.e. partitioning walls) within the mass of the electrode body, thereby defining smaller surfaces of the electrode interacting with the electrolytes, prevents the active mass of the electrode to relocate/move from one smaller volume to another during cycling, thus preventing shape-change of the electrode.
  • partitions i.e. partitioning walls
  • the active mass of the electrode body is relocating from the top to the bottom during charging.
  • the relocation of the active mass is proportional to the strength of the alkaline electrolyte, as well as by type of counter electrode, flowing of the electrolyte, electrode dimensions and especially by current density.
  • This Partitioning of the electrode body is not electrically separating the resulting smaller volumes.
  • the current collector is not concerned by this partitioning and all said smaller volumes’ current collector remains electrically connected.
  • the design of said partitioning frame is optimized to create compartments with partitions perpendicular to the gradient of shape-change when no partitioning frame is present whereby the shape-change preventive effect is maximized with a minimum of partitioning frame material.
  • essentially planar it is meant in the invention that the surface is ruled, as can be not only an essentially planar surface but also for example a surface predominantly cylindrical, conical or helicoidal.
  • a surface S is ruled if through every point of S there is a straight line that lies on S.
  • a ruled surface can always be described (at least locally) as the set of points swept by a moving straight line.
  • the design of said partitioning frame includes substantially horizontal partitions preventing the active mass to relocate from top to bottom.
  • Vertical partitions are especially added for electrodes having over 10 cm long horizontal span to reduce/eliminate shape-change from same level locations.
  • essentially horizontal it is meant in the invention that the intersection between the surface formed by the partitioning wall and said at least one essentially planar surface is approximately horizontal +/- 10° compared to the bottom of the electrode.
  • an active mass area of zinc-electrode is shrinking over time, becoming more dense predominantly in the central part of the electrode, a bit shifted towards the bottom when the zinc-electrodes are used in a vertical position.
  • the partitioning walls are positioned perpendicular to the mass relocation flow observed when partitions are absent, dividing the surface area of the active-mass to be in contact with the electrolyte into smaller active-mass areas.
  • the invention relates to the zinc-electrode defined above, wherein the area of each of said smaller volumes of active-mass to be facing the electrolyte, can enter in a circle of diameter 75 mm.
  • the invention relates to the zinc-electrode above-defined, wherein the area of said essentially planar sub-surfaces is not smaller than 4 mm x 4 mm. otherwise the mass of the partitioning walls would compromise weight and cost of the cells.
  • the invention relates to the zinc-electrode above-defined, wherein the total surface of each sub-surfaces ranges from 20 mm 2 to 2500 mm 2 .
  • the divisions walled by the partitions is about equal to 20 mm 2 , 25 mm 2 , 30 mm 2 , 35 mm 2 , 40 mm 2 , 45 mm 2 , 50 mm 2 , 55 mm 2 , 60 mm 2 , 65 mm 2 , 70 mm 2 , 75 mm 2 , 80 mm 2 , 85 mm 2 , 90 mm 2 , 95 mm 2 , 100 mm 2 , 105 mm 2 , 110 mm 2 , 115 mm 2 , 120 mm 2 , 125 mm 2 , 130 mm 2 , 135 mm 2 , 140 mm 2 , 145 mm 2 , 150 mm 2 , 155 mm 2 , 160 mm 2 , 165 mm 2 , 170 mm 2 , 175 mm 2 , 180 mm 2 , 185 mm 2 , 190
  • said smaller volumes of active-mass can enter in a circle of diameter from 10mm to 75 mm.
  • the circle diameter equals to 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm, 23 mm, 24 mm, 25 mm, 26 mm, 27 mm, 28 mm, 29 mm, 30 mm, 31 mm, 32 mm, 33 mm, 34 mm, 35 mm, 36 mm, 37 mm, 38 mm, 39 mm, 40 mm, 41 mm, 42 mm, 43 mm, 44 mm, 45 mm, 46 mm, 47 mm, 48 mm, 49 mm, 50 mm, 51 mm, 52 mm, 53 mm, 54 mm, 55 mm, 56 mm, 57 mm, 58 mm, 59 mm, 60 mm, 61 mm, 62 mm,
  • the invention relates to the zinc-electrode defined above, comprising at least two partitioning walls.
  • partitioning walls The presence of at least 2 partitioning walls defines therefore at least 3 sub regions within the zinc electrode body.
  • at least 2 partitioning walls it is meant in the invention 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, etc walls.
  • the invention relates to the zinc-electrode as defined above, said at least one partitioning wall defining at least two substantially equal volumes of the electrode body.
  • the invention relates to the zinc-electrode as defined above, said at least one partitioning wall defining at least two substantially equal volumes of the electrode body, or said at least two partitioning walls defining at least three substantially equals volumes of the electrode body.
  • the invention relates to the zinc-electrode as defined above, wherein said partitioning wall is made of polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride or polystyrene or any other light-weight material withstanding cell inner environment.
  • PMMA poly(methyl methacrylate)
  • PVC polyvinyl chloride
  • polystyrene material are particularly advantageous in the invention, but the skilled person can easily use another appropriate material having the following properties :
  • the invention also relates to a zinc-air cell comprising at least a zinc-electrode as defined above.
  • the invention also relates to a zinc-air battery comprising cells as defined above
  • the invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a zinc-air battery
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation in perspective of an electrode according to the invention comprising, within the electrode body three horizontal partitioning walls and one vertical partitioning wall.
  • Fig.1 is an example of a zinc-electrode that can be used in a zinc-air battery suitable for scooters.
  • the electrode 1 is represented by a parallelepiped with a width of about 95 mm, a length of about 160 mm and a thickness of about 6 mm.
  • the electrode 1 includes a current collector 5 and harbors an essentially planar surface 2, parallel to the current collector 5 and exposed to the electrolyte.
  • the body of the electrode 1 contains four partitioning walls, 3 horizontal: 3; 3’ and 3”, and one vertical: 4.
  • the partitioning walls have a thickness of 1mm.
  • the partitioning walls 3; 3’ 3” and 4 are positioned substantially perpendicular with respect to the essentially planar surface 2.
  • the distance between the top of the electrode 1 and the partitioning wall 3 is 40 mm, the distance between the partitioning walls 3 and 3’, and 3’ and 3” is 40 mm and the distance between the partitioning wall 3” and the bottom of the electrode is 40 mm. Also the partitioning wall 4 is positioned at equal distance between the left and right sides of the electrode 1.
  • the inventors have compared the active mass redistribution of two zinc electrodes: a classical electrode known in prior art and an electrode according to the invention.
  • the relocation was studied under the following conditions 20 cycles at 0.8C discharge rate (active mass utilization is ca 30%), the separator was classical and made out of 4 rayon sheets.
  • the active mass redistribution occurs to the bottom center of the zinc-electrode for the Zn-electrode free of active mass partitioning walls.
  • the active mass of the zinc-electrode according to the invention remains uniformly distributed over the zinc-electrode surface
  • the presence of at least one partitioning wall significantly reduces the active mass relocation.

Abstract

The invention relates to a zinc-electrode, for use in an alkaline electrolyte secondary battery, having a body which comprises at least one essentially planar surface to be in contact with electrolytes, said essentially planar surface being provided in a vertical and/or horizontal position during charging and discharging sessions of the secondary battery, wherein said zinc-electrode includes at least one partitioning wall, said at least one partitioning wall being part of the body of the electrode, said at least one partitioning wall being substantially perpendicular to said essentially planar surface, said at least one partitioning wall being impermeable to Zn-containing materials, and being resistant to strong alkaline solutions.

Description

Partitioned Zinc electrode
The present invention is concerned with electrically rechargeable Zinc-electrode containing batteries and especially electrically rechargeable Zinc-Air batteries.
Electrically rechargeable Zinc-Air batteries are famous for their energy density comparable to Li-ion batteries (at least 3 to 6 times more than Lead-Acid batteries) and their low cost per kWh (comparable or cheaper than Lead-Acid batteries and 5 to 10 times cheaper than Li-ion batteries).
These batteries would be very useful for many applications including Electric Vehicles and Stationary Electricity Storage if they could offer a sufficient service life. However, so far nobody could offer this type of batteries with characteristics suitable for an application.
For example, considering the low cost of these batteries, we estimate that the minimum requirement for Electric Scooters would be something like: at least 70 Wh/kg Energy Density; 15 W/kg average Power Density and 6 months service life with 200 cycles.
During the shape changing process, the active mass of zinc electrode tends to densify, i.e. agglomerate within some part of the electrode (usually in between the mid-part and bottom-part of the electrode) occupying some stinted space. Over time this space shrinks, while the active mass becomes denser. Hence, this active mass losses its surface area and porosity with follow-up consequences for the electrode (polarization increases, passivation enhances, active mass utilization drops with the eventual death of the cell). Shape-change holds for the whole electrode. In advanced shape-change cases, some parts of current collector could become naked, while the relocated/ redistributed active mass could take well-defined boundaries. Redistributed active mass has an increased thickness which is very undesirable in many respects since it can damage the separator and cell and cause short-circuiting.
The invention intends to obviate the prior art problems.
The invention relates to a Zinc-electrode for the use in an alkaline electrolyte secondary battery, having a body consisting essentially of the active mass of said zinc electrode, said active mass comprising at least one essentially planar surface to be in contact with the electrolyte, said essentially planar surface being advantageously provided in a vertical position during charging/discharging sessions of said alkaline secondary battery,
wherein said zinc-electrode includes at least one partitioning wall, said at least one partitioning wall being part of the body of the electrode, said at least one partitioning wall being advantageously substantially perpendicular to said essentially planar surface, and said at least one partitioning wall interrupting the active mass of the electrode such that the active mass is divided into at least two smaller volumes of active mass, said at least two smaller volumes of active mass being separated from each other by said at least one partitioning wall,
said smaller volume defining essentially planar sub-surfaces of said at least one essentially planar surface, and
said partitioning wall being resistant to strong alkaline solutions.
Advantageously, said at least one partitioning wall is preventing migration and diffusion of zinc and zinc-containing compounds between said at least two smaller volumes of active mass.
The invention is based on the surprising observation made by the inventors that inserting partitions (i.e. partitioning walls) within the mass of the electrode body, thereby defining smaller surfaces of the electrode interacting with the electrolytes, prevents the active mass of the electrode to relocate/move from one smaller volume to another during cycling, thus preventing shape-change of the electrode.
It has also been observed that the active mass of the electrode body is relocating from the top to the bottom during charging. In particular, it is well known that the relocation of the active mass is proportional to the strength of the alkaline electrolyte, as well as by type of counter electrode, flowing of the electrolyte, electrode dimensions and especially by current density.
This Partitioning of the electrode body is not electrically separating the resulting smaller volumes. The current collector is not concerned by this partitioning and all said smaller volumes’ current collector remains electrically connected.
The design of said partitioning frame is optimized to create compartments with partitions perpendicular to the gradient of shape-change when no partitioning frame is present whereby the shape-change preventive effect is maximized with a minimum of partitioning frame material.
By “essentially planar” it is meant in the invention that the surface is ruled, as can be not only an essentially planar surface but also for example a surface predominantly cylindrical, conical or helicoidal. In geometry, a surface S is ruled if through every point of S there is a straight line that lies on S. A ruled surface can always be described (at least locally) as the set of points swept by a moving straight line.
Advantageously, in case where said essentially planar surface is used in a vertical position, the design of said partitioning frame includes substantially horizontal partitions preventing the active mass to relocate from top to bottom. Vertical partitions are especially added for electrodes having over 10 cm long horizontal span to reduce/eliminate shape-change from same level locations.
By ”essentially horizontal”, it is meant in the invention that the intersection between the surface formed by the partitioning wall and said at least one essentially planar surface is approximately horizontal +/- 10° compared to the bottom of the electrode.
For many reasons (such as zincate-ion - concentration ), non-homogeneous electrical fields and concentration of zincate-ions during charging and discharging as well as other reasons specified above), an active mass area of zinc-electrode is shrinking over time, becoming more dense predominantly in the central part of the electrode, a bit shifted towards the bottom when the zinc-electrodes are used in a vertical position.
To oppose such active-mass relocation or migration, the partitioning walls are positioned perpendicular to the mass relocation flow observed when partitions are absent, dividing the surface area of the active-mass to be in contact with the electrolyte into smaller active-mass areas.
Advantageously, the invention relates to the zinc-electrode defined above, wherein the area of each of said smaller volumes of active-mass to be facing the electrolyte, can enter in a circle of diameter 75 mm.
More advantageously, the invention relates to the zinc-electrode above-defined, wherein the area of said essentially planar sub-surfaces is not smaller than 4 mm x 4 mm. otherwise the mass of the partitioning walls would compromise weight and cost of the cells.
More advantageously, the invention relates to the zinc-electrode above-defined, wherein the total surface of each sub-surfaces ranges from 20 mm2 to 2500 mm2.
By “ranges from 20 mm2 to 4400 mm2” it is meant in the invention that the divisions walled by the partitions is about equal to 20 mm2, 25 mm2, 30 mm2, 35 mm2, 40 mm2, 45 mm2, 50 mm2, 55 mm2, 60 mm2, 65 mm2, 70 mm2, 75 mm2, 80 mm2, 85 mm2, 90 mm2, 95 mm2, 100 mm2, 105 mm2, 110 mm2, 115 mm2, 120 mm2, 125 mm2, 130 mm2, 135 mm2, 140 mm2, 145 mm2, 150 mm2, 155 mm2, 160 mm2, 165 mm2, 170 mm2, 175 mm2, 180 mm2, 185 mm2, 190 mm2, 195 mm2, 200 mm2, 205 mm2, 210 mm2, 215 mm2, 220 mm2, 225 mm2, 230 mm2, 235 mm2, 240 mm2, 245 mm2, 250 mm2, 255 mm2, 260 mm2, 265 mm2, 270 mm2, 275 mm2, 280 mm2, 285 mm2, 290 mm2, 295 mm2, 300 mm2, …, 4390 mm2 or 4400 mm2.
More advantageously, said smaller volumes of active-mass can enter in a circle of diameter from 10mm to 75 mm. This means that the circle diameter equals to 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm, 23 mm, 24 mm, 25 mm, 26 mm, 27 mm, 28 mm, 29 mm, 30 mm, 31 mm, 32 mm, 33 mm, 34 mm, 35 mm, 36 mm, 37 mm, 38 mm, 39 mm, 40 mm, 41 mm, 42 mm, 43 mm, 44 mm, 45 mm, 46 mm, 47 mm, 48 mm, 49 mm, 50 mm, 51 mm, 52 mm, 53 mm, 54 mm, 55 mm, 56 mm, 57 mm, 58 mm, 59 mm, 60 mm, 61 mm, 62 mm, 63 mm, 64 mm, 65 mm, 66 mm, 67 mm, 68 mm, 69 mm, 70 mm, 71 mm, 72 mm, 73 mm, 74 mm or 75 mm.
Advantageously, the invention relates to the zinc-electrode defined above, comprising at least two partitioning walls.
The presence of at least 2 partitioning walls defines therefore at least 3 sub regions within the zinc electrode body. By “at least 2 partitioning walls”, it is meant in the invention 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, etc walls.
More advantageously, the invention relates to the zinc-electrode as defined above, said at least one partitioning wall defining at least two substantially equal volumes of the electrode body.
More advantageously, the invention relates to the zinc-electrode as defined above, said at least one partitioning wall defining at least two substantially equal volumes of the electrode body, or said at least two partitioning walls defining at least three substantially equals volumes of the electrode body.
In one another advantageous embodiment, the invention relates to the zinc-electrode as defined above, wherein said partitioning wall is made of polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride or polystyrene or any other light-weight material withstanding cell inner environment.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polystyrene material are particularly advantageous in the invention, but the skilled person can easily use another appropriate material having the following properties :
  1. resistance to strong alkaline solutions (alkaline solution having a pH higher than 10, in particular higher than 12), and
  2. does not hinder electric current to flow through the current collector of the zinc-electrode.
The invention also relates to a zinc-air cell comprising at least a zinc-electrode as defined above.
The invention also relates to a zinc-air battery comprising cells as defined above
The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a zinc-air battery
The invention will be better undertood in view of the following drawings.
Fig.1
is a schematic representation in perspective of an electrode according to the invention comprising, within the electrode body three horizontal partitioning walls and one vertical partitioning wall.
Fig.2
is a photography showing a Zn electrode known in the art after 40 cycles at 0.8C discharge rate (active mass utilization is ca 40%).
Fig.3
.is a photography showing a Zn electrode according to the invention after 40 cycles at 0.8C discharge rate (active mass utilization is ca 40%).
We now refer to Fig.1. Fig.1 is an example of a zinc-electrode that can be used in a zinc-air battery suitable for scooters. The electrode 1 is represented by a parallelepiped with a width of about 95 mm, a length of about 160 mm and a thickness of about 6 mm. The electrode 1 includes a current collector 5 and harbors an essentially planar surface 2, parallel to the current collector 5 and exposed to the electrolyte. The body of the electrode 1 contains four partitioning walls, 3 horizontal: 3; 3’ and 3”, and one vertical: 4. The partitioning walls have a thickness of 1mm. The partitioning walls 3; 3’ 3” and 4 are positioned substantially perpendicular with respect to the essentially planar surface 2. The distance between the top of the electrode 1 and the partitioning wall 3 is 40 mm, the distance between the partitioning walls 3 and 3’, and 3’ and 3” is 40 mm and the distance between the partitioning wall 3” and the bottom of the electrode is 40 mm. Also the partitioning wall 4 is positioned at equal distance between the left and right sides of the electrode 1.
Specific embodiments of the invention have been described by the way of exemplary teachings, however, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific details and the illustrative examples shown and described. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
The inventors have compared the active mass redistribution of two zinc electrodes: a classical electrode known in prior art and an electrode according to the invention. The relocation was studied under the following conditions 20 cycles at 0.8C discharge rate (active mass utilization is ca 30%), the separator was classical and made out of 4 rayon sheets.
The results are shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
it is discernible that the active mass redistribution occurs to the bottom center of the zinc-electrode for the Zn-electrode free of active mass partitioning walls. By contrast, the active mass of the zinc-electrode according to the invention remains uniformly distributed over the zinc-electrode surface
The presence of at least one partitioning wall significantly reduces the active mass relocation.

Claims (11)

  1. A zinc-electrode, for use in an alkaline electrolyte secondary battery, having a body consisting essentially of the active mass of said zinc electrode, said active mass comprising at least one essentially planar surface to be in contact with the electrolyte,
    wherein said zinc-electrode includes at least one partitioning wall, said at least one partitioning wall being part of the body of the electrode, and said at least one partitioning is dividing the active mass of the electrode into at least two smaller volumes of active mass, said at least at least two smaller volumes of active mass being separated from each other by said at least one partitioning wall,
    said smaller volumes defining essentially planar sub-surfaces of said at least one essentially planar surface,
    and said partitioning wall being resistant to strong alkaline solutions.
  2. A zinc-electrode according to claim 1, wherein said at least one partitioning wall is preventing migration and diffusion of zincate-ions and Zn-containing compounds between the said at least two smaller volumes of active mass.
  3. A zinc-electrode according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the area of each of said smaller volumes of active-mass to be facing the electrolyte can enter in a circle of diameter 75 mm.
  4. A zinc-electrode according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the total surface of each sub-surfaces ranges from 20 mm2 to 4400 mm2.
  5. The zinc-electrode according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one substantially horizontal partitioning wall.
  6. The zinc-electrode according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least two partitioning walls.
  7. The zinc-electrode according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, said at least one partitioning wall defining at least two substantially equal volumes of the electrode body.
  8. The zinc-electrode according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein said partitioning wall is made of Poly(methyl methacrylate), polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene. or any other light-weight material withstanding cell inner environment.
  9. A zinc-air cell comprising at least a zinc-electrode according to any of the claims 1 to 8.
  10. A zinc-air battery comprising cells according to claim 9.
  11. A vehicle comprising a zinc-air battery according to claim 10.
    .
PCT/IB2016/052592 2015-05-06 2016-05-06 Partitioned zinc electrode WO2016178184A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US201562157848P 2015-05-06 2015-05-06
US62/157,848 2015-05-06

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PCT/IB2016/052595 WO2016178187A1 (en) 2015-05-06 2016-05-06 Zinc-electrode forming and formatting
PCT/IB2016/052593 WO2016178185A1 (en) 2015-05-06 2016-05-06 Battery management system for bi-cathode discharging-cells
PCT/IB2016/052594 WO2016178186A1 (en) 2015-05-06 2016-05-06 Zinc-air cell with airlift pump

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PCT/IB2016/052593 WO2016178185A1 (en) 2015-05-06 2016-05-06 Battery management system for bi-cathode discharging-cells
PCT/IB2016/052594 WO2016178186A1 (en) 2015-05-06 2016-05-06 Zinc-air cell with airlift pump

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EP3292577A1 (en) 2018-03-14
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CN107836052A (en) 2018-03-23
WO2016178185A1 (en) 2016-11-10

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