Abstract
The electrolyte carbonation and the resulting air electrode plugging are the primary factors limiting the cycle life of aqueous alkaline zinc-air batteries (ZABs). In this work, calcium ion (Ca(2+)) additives were introduced into the electrolyte and the separator to resolve the above issues. Galvanostatic charge-discharge cycle tests were carried out to verify the effect of Ca(2+) on electrolyte carbonation. With the modified electrolyte and separator, the cycle life of ZABs was improved by 22.2% and 24.7%, respectively. Ca(2+) was introduced into the ZAB system to preferentially react with CO(3)(2-) rather than K(+) and then precipitated granular CaCO(3) prior to K(2)CO(3), which was deposited on the surface of the Zn anode and air cathode to form a flower-like CaCO(3) layer, thereby prolonging its cycle life.