Induced electric wireless effects on energy storage: Bipolar electrochemistry effects on Cu/Zn batteries performance

Abstract

Immersedconducting materials in an electrolyte undergo polarization in presence ofelectric fields, resulting in a dipole where opposite poles of the materialbecome an anode and cathode, where electrochemical reactions may occur atsufficiently induced potentials. Such induction phenomena lower significantlythe resistance of the electrochemical cell. This work shows how in a Cu/Znbattery, it also yields lower overpotentials, and enhanced charge capacity andpower, especially at high currents. The outcome of such bipolarelectrochemistry, depends on the specific configuration of the bipolarelectrodes within the electric field, and the possible reactions at the bipolarelectrode for the specific redox system chosen. For the largest induced dipoletested, specific capacities may be increased by 40% and volumetric capacitiesmay double. It is of great significance that, with appropriate configurations,the capacity of a specific battery may be greatly enhanced, allowing also toreduce the number of cells in a stack to maintain the same performance.