J. Alberto Blázquez

Centre for Electrochemical Technologies

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Aroa R. Mainar

Centre for Electrochemical Technologies

Olatz Leonet

Centre for Electrochemical Technologies

Elena Iruin

Centre for Electrochemical Technologies

Luis C. Colmenares

SINTEF

Andriy Kvasha

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Iratxe de Meatza

Centre for Electrochemical Technologies

Eneko Azaceta

Centre for Electrochemical Technologies

Idoia Urdampilleta

Centre for Electrochemical Technologies

Jean‐Frédéric Martin

CEA LITEN

Hans‐Jürgen Grande

University of the Basque Country

Cooperative Institutions

Centre for Electrochemical Technologies

University of the Basque Country

Centro de Inovação, Empreendedorismo e Tecnologia

Helmholtz-Institute Ulm

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

Ayuntamiento de San Sebastián

Universität Ulm

Bar-Ilan University

Institute of Nanotechnology

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Inverse Vulcanization of Sulfur using Natural Dienes as Sustainable Materials for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

ChemSusChem (2016)

Iñaki Gómez Olatz Leonet J. Alberto Blázquez David Mecerreyes

Lithium-sulfur batteries are among the most promising next-generation battery systems due to the high capacity of sulfur as cathodic material. Beyond its interesting intrinsic properties, sulfur possesses a very low conductivity and complex electrochemistry, which involves the high solubility of the lithium sulfides in the electrolyte. These two characteristics are at the core of a series of limitations of its performance as active cathode material, which leads to batteries with low cyclability. Recently, inverse vulcanized sulfur was shown to retain capacity far better than elemental sulfur, leading to batteries with excellent cyclability. Nevertheless, the diene co-monomers used so far in the inverse vulcanization process are man-made molecules. Herein, a tentative work on exploring inverse vulcanization using two naturally available monomers, diallyl sulfide and myrcene, is presented. The inverse vulcanization of sulfur was successfully completed, and the resulting polymers were characterized by FTIR, NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Afterwards these polymers were tested as cathodic materials in lithium-sulfur cells. The sulfur-natural dienes materials exhibited high capacity at different C rates and high lifetime over 200 cycles with very high capacity retention at a moderate C rate of C/5. Altogether, these materials made from inexpensive and abundant chemicals are an excellent option as sustainable materials for electrochemical energy storage.

Polysulfide

10.1002/cssc.201601474

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Citations (144)

High performance secondary zinc-air/silver hybrid battery

Journal of Energy Storage (2020)

Aroa R. Mainar Elena Iruin J. Alberto Blázquez

Energy density

Power density

10.1016/j.est.2020.102103

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Citations (16)

AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Foils as Thin Anodes for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

ChemSusChem (2021)

Ananya Maddegalla Ayan Mukherjee J. Alberto Blázquez Eneko Azaceta Olatz Leonet

In recent decades, rechargeable Mg batteries (RMBs) technologies have attracted much attention because the use of thin Mg foil anodes may enable development of high-energy-density batteries. One of the most critical challenges for RMBs is finding suitable electrolyte solutions that enable efficient and reversible Mg cells operation. Most RMB studies concentrate on the development of novel electrolyte systems, while only few studies have focused on the practical feasibility of using pure metallic Mg as the anode material. Pure Mg metal anodes have been demonstrated to be useful in studying the fundamentals of nonaqueous Mg electrochemistry. However, pure Mg metal may not be suitable for mass production of ultrathin foils (<100 microns) due to its limited ductility. The metals industry overcomes this problem by using ductile Mg alloys. Herein, the feasibility of processing ultrathin Mg anodes in electrochemical cells was demonstrated by using AZ31 Mg alloys (3 % Al; 1 % Zn). Thin-film Mg AZ31 anodes presented reversible Mg dissolution and deposition behavior in complex ethereal Mg electrolytes solutions that was comparable to that of pure Mg foils. Moreover, it was demonstrated that secondary Mg battery prototypes comprising ultrathin AZ31 Mg alloy anodes (≈25 μm thick) and Mgx Mo6 S8 Chevrel-phase cathodes exhibited cycling performance equal to that of similar cells containing thicker pure Mg foil anodes. The possibility of using ultrathin processable Mg metal anodes is an important step in the realization of rechargeable Mg batteries.

10.1002/cssc.202101323

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Citations (30)

Alkaline aqueous electrolytes for secondary zinc-air batteries: an overview

International Journal of Energy Research (2016)

Aroa R. Mainar Olatz Leonet Miguel Bengoechea Iker Boyano Iratxe de Meatza

New applications and emerging markets in electromobility and large-scale stationary energy storage require the development of new electrochemical systems with higher energy density than current batteries. Rechargeable metal–air batteries, mainly lithium–air and zinc–air systems, are considered one of the most promising candidates. In contrast to lithium, zinc is abundant, inexpensive and its electrodeposition in aqueous electrolytes is relatively easy. Unfortunately, achieving a rechargeable zinc–air battery is still hindered by various technical problems related to the reversibility and lifetime of the electrodes. The most widely used electrolyte in zinc–air batteries has been the classical aqueous alkaline. In this context and with the main objective of providing a complete overview, we studied a wide number of articles starting from the beginning of the development of secondary zinc–air batteries (1970–1980s) to more recent works, with the aim of compiling all available information. It is essential to revise older papers to find relevant information that may get otherwise forgotten and not taken into account to develop new solutions. This information could also be applied in other storage systems based on zinc as nickel–zinc, zinc hybrid or zinc-ion. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Electrochemical energy storage

10.1002/er.3499

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Citations (268)

A practical perspective on the potential of rechargeable Mg batteries

Energy & Environmental Science (2023)

J. Alberto Blázquez Rudi Ruben Maça Olatz Leonet Eneko Azaceta Ayan Mukherjee

Emerging energy storage systems based on abundant and cost-effective materials are key to overcome the global energy and climate crisis of the 21st century.

10.1039/d2ee04121a

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Citations (53)

Systematic cycle life assessment of a secondary zinc–air battery as a function of the alkaline electrolyte composition

Energy Science & Engineering (2018)

Aroa R. Mainar Elena Iruin Luis C. Colmenares J. Alberto Blázquez Hans‐Jürgen Grande

Abstract Development of secondary zinc–air batteries goes through a proper specification of the electrolyte formulation adapted to extend the cycle life of the battery. However, defining an optimal formulation is not a trivial work due to the specific requirements for each electrode. At half‐cell level, it has been determined that ZnO‐saturated 4 mol L −1 KOH with 2 mol L −1 KF and 2 mol L −1 K 2 CO 3 (4s‐2) is the most suitable formulation to increase the cycle life of secondary zinc electrode, whereas additive‐free 8 mol L −1 KOH (8‐0) formulation is more beneficial for the bifunctional air electrode ( BAE ). Through this systematic cycle life assessment, it has been found that the most suitable electrolyte formulation for the full cell system is a compendium for both electrodes requirements. It has determined an optimal electrolyte formulation for the full system consisting of ZnO‐saturated 7 mol L −1 KOH with 1.4 mol L −1 KF and 1.4 mol L −1 K 2 CO 3 (7s‐1.4). This electrolyte composition increases at least 2.5 times the reversibility of the secondary zinc–air battery in comparison with that employing the traditional formulation for primary zinc–air batteries (additive‐free 8 mol L −1 KOH ). In addition, the development of a proper cell design or separator is also necessary to further enhance the secondary zinc–air cycle life.

Separator (oil production)

10.1002/ese3.191

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A brief overview of secondary zinc anode development: The key of improving zinc-based energy storage systems

International Journal of Energy Research (2017)

Aroa R. Mainar Luis C. Colmenares J. Alberto Blázquez Idoia Urdampilleta

Electricity will increasingly be produced from sources that are geographically decentralized and/or intermittent in their nature. In consequents, there is an urgent need to increase the storage of energy to guarantee the continuity of energy supply. Rechargeable zinc-air battery is a promising technology due to the high theoretical energy density and the abundant and environmentally benign materials that are used. In the state of the art, the information about secondary zinc anode for rechargeable zinc-air batteries is scarce. The main development of the technology has been lately concentrated on the bifunctional air electrodes while the used zinc anode is mainly based on a planar zinc electrode providing low specific energy densities for the full system. This overview compiles the available information in the literature regarding the development and manufacturing of zinc anodes for electrical rechargeable batteries applications, where secondary porous zinc electrodes are generally desired. In this context, the zinc-based anode electrode composition (namely, active material, binder, conductive material, current collector, and additives), pretreatments, and processing techniques are described and their impact on the zinc anode performance analyzed.

Galvanic anode

10.1002/er.3822

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Citations (133)

Designing Aqueous Organic Electrolytes for Zinc–Air Batteries: Method, Simulation, and Validation

Advanced Energy Materials (2020)

Simon Clark Aroa R. Mainar Elena Iruin Luis C. Colmenares J. Alberto Blázquez

Abstract Aqueous zinc–air batteries (ZABs) are a low‐cost, safe, and sustainable technology for stationary energy storage. ZABs with pH‐buffered near‐neutral electrolytes have the potential for longer lifetime compared to traditional alkaline ZABs due to the slower absorption of carbonates at nonalkaline pH values. However, existing near‐neutral electrolytes often contain halide salts, which are corrosive and threaten the precipitation of ZnO as the dominant discharge product. This paper presents a method for designing halide‐free aqueous ZAB electrolytes using thermodynamic descriptors to computationally screen components. The dynamic performance of a ZAB with one possible halide‐free aqueous electrolyte based on organic salts is simulated using an advanced method of continuum modeling, and the results are validated by experiments. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy measurements of Zn electrodes show that ZnO is the dominant discharge product, and operando pH measurements confirm the stability of the electrolyte pH during cell cycling. Long‐term full cell cycling tests are performed, and rotating ring disk electrode measurements elucidate the mechanism of oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. The analysis shows that aqueous electrolytes containing organic salts could be a promising field of research for zinc‐based batteries, due to their Zn 2+ chelating and pH buffering properties. The remaining challenges including the electrochemical stability of the electrolyte components are discussed.

10.1002/aenm.201903470

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Citations (62)

Development of a novel portable-size PEMFC short stack with electrodeposited Pt hydrogen diffusion anodes

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2010)

Francisco Alcaide Garbiñe Álvarez J. Alberto Blázquez Pere Lluı́s Cabot Óscar Miguel

10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.03.012

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Citations (19)

Novel ultrathin composite membranes of Nafion/PVA for PEMFCs

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2011)

Sergio Mollá Vicente Compañ Enrique Giménez J. Alberto Blázquez Idoia Urdanpilleta