A zinc–air cell employing a porous zinc electrode fabricated from zinc–graphite-natural biodegradable polymer paste

Othman, Raihan and Abdul Hamid, Yahaya and Arof, Abdul Kariem (2002) A zinc–air cell employing a porous zinc electrode fabricated from zinc–graphite-natural biodegradable polymer paste. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 32 (12). pp. 1347-1353. ISSN 1572-8838 (O), 0021-891X (P)

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Abstract

Porous zinc anodes have been fabricated from a mixture of zinc and graphite powder using gelatinized agar solution as the binding agent. Agar is a biodegradable polysaccharide polymer extracted from marine algae. The graphite content and the agar solution concentration were varied to find the best electrode composition. Zinc–air cells were fabricated using the porous zinc anode, a commercially available air cathode sheet and KOH electrolyte in the form of elastic jelly granules. The electrode performance was evaluated from the zinc–air cell galvanostatic discharge capability. In the cell design, a thin agar layer was introduced between the electrode-gelled electrolyte interfaces, resulting in substantially improved cell discharge performance. The inclusion of particulate graphite into the electrode did not enhance the electrode performance due to the formation of a graphite-rich layer, which obscured the electrode porosity. A zinc–air cell employing the optimized porous zinc electrode demonstrated a capacity of 2066 mA h and specific energy density of 443 Wh/kg.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	2593/3767
Uncontrolled Keywords:	agar solution, hydroponics gel, KOH electrolyte, natural polymer binder, porous zinc anode, zinc–air cell
Subjects:	T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery > TJ807 Renewable energy sources T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering > TK2896 Production of electricity by direct energy conversion T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP250 Industrial electrochemistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Science
Depositing User:	Raihan Othman
Date Deposited:	12 Sep 2011 15:33
Last Modified:	12 Sep 2011 16:34
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/3767

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