A novel low-cost sodium–zinc chloride battery

Journal Article · Tue Feb 19 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Energy & Environmental Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/C3EE24244G· OSTI ID:1083389

Lu, Xiaochuan ^[1]; Li, Guosheng ^[1]; Kim, Jin Y. ^[1]; Lemmon, John P. ^[1]; Sprenkle, Vincent L. ^[1]; Yang, Zhenguo ^[1]

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1. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

The sodium-metal halide (ZEBRA) battery has been considered as one of the most attractive energy storage systems for stationary and transportation applications. Even though Na-NiCl₂ battery has been widely investigated, there is still a need to develop a more economical system to make this technology more attractive for commercialization. In the present work, a novel low-cost Na-ZnCl₂ battery with a thin planar β"-Al₂O₃ solid electrolyte (BASE) was proposed, and its electrochemical reactions and battery performance were investigated. Compared to the Na-NiCl₂ chemistry, the ZnCl₂-based chemistry was more complicated, in which multiple electrochemical reactions including liquid-phase formation occurred at temperatures above 253°C. During the first stage of charge, NaCl reacted with Zn to form Na in the anode and Na₂ZnCl₄ in the cathode. Once all the residual NaCl was consumed, further charging led to the formation of a NaCl-ZnCl₂ liquid phase. At the end of charge, the liquid phase reacted with Zn to produce solid ZnCl₂. To identify the effects of liquid-phase formation on electrochemical performance, button cells were assembled and tested at 280°C and 240°C. At 280°C where the liquid phase formed during cycling, cells revealed quite stable cyclability. On the other hand, more rapid increase in polarization was observed at 240°C where only solid-state electrochemical reactions occurred. SEM analysis indicated that the stable performance at 280°C was due to the suppressed growth of Zn and NaCl particles, which were generated from the liquid phase during discharge of each cycle.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1083389
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA--90513; TE1400000
• Journal Information: Energy & Environmental Science, Journal Name: Energy & Environmental Science Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 6; ISSN EESNBY; ISSN 1754-5692
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
electrochemical reactions
planar design
sodium-zinc chloride battery
β″-Al2O3 solid electrolyte