DEVELOPMENT OF RECHARGEABLE MONOPOLAR AND BIPOLAR ZINC AIR BATTERIES

For the development of a rechargeable zinc/air battery, La(0.6)Ca(0.4) C0O(3) catalyzed (perovskite) bifunctional oxygen electrodes and paste d zinc electrodes were prepared and tested in monopolar zinc/air cells . In addition, a bipolar Zn/air stack was tested using reticulated cop per foam as substrate for the zinc deposit. The cells were cycled in m oderately alkaline ZnO-saturated electrolytes with KF as an electrolyt e additive. The maximum power as well as the cycle life of the cells w as investigated. The differences in porosity of the zinc electrode bef ore and after the long-term test were analyzed using mercury porosimet ry.