Inorganic Battery Materials

How to Maximize the Potential of Zn‐Air Battery: Toward Acceptable Rechargeable Technology with or without Electricity

Joohyuk Park, Jang‐Soo Lee and Jaephil Cho

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea

1. 1 Introduction
2. 2 Z–Air Battery—Overview
3. 3 Perspective View of a Possibility as a Primary and Mechanically Rechargeable Z–Air Battery
4. 4 Perspective View of a Possibility as an Electrically Rechargeable Z–Air Battery
5. 5 Conclusion
6. 6 Acknowledgment
7. 7 Related Article
8. 8 Abbreviations and Acronyms
9. 9 References

1 Introduction

Demands for better alternative energy storage and conversion systems are increasing owing to fluctuating oil prices and the effects of global warming. To date, Li‐ion batteries have played an important role in portable electronic equipment and devices. However, its maximum energy density is limited owing to a rocking chair principle, and thus it has intrinsic limitation in achieving a practical application of electric vehicles. Therefore, possible strategy to increase its energy density is free from energy storage within limited sized batteries and thus to use an energy conversion. In this regard, a metal–air battery with a mixed concept between traditional battery and fuel cells has been involved to address these problems. Therefore, it is possible to maximize its energy density by coupling lithium as anode, the lightest metal, and unlimited oxygen (O₂) from atmosphere as cathode, and its theoretical energy density ...