Aqueous rechargeable zinc air batteries operated at −110°C

Abstract

Zinc air batteries (ZABs) based on alkaline aqueous electrolytes using metallic zinc and air as electrodes have attracted significant attention for large-scale energy conversion systems. Nonetheless, the freezing of aqueous electrolytes and the catalytic performance deterioration in electrocatalysts hinder the ultralow-temperature operation of ZABs. Herein, we develop an ultralow-temperature-tolerant ZAB by fine-tuning the structure of the conventional KOH and developing an ultralow-temperature-tolerant FeCo-PC bifunctional electrocatalyst, which can endure the ultralow working temperature of a ZAB down to −110°C and exhibit an unprecedented battery performance with a maximum power density of 61.3 mW cm⁻², capacity of 627.9 mAh g⁻¹, and cycling stability of about 140 h at −70°C. This work represents a remarkable advance toward profoundly understanding the antifreezing properties of the conventional KOH electrolyte and the design of a low-temperature electrocatalyst, which will promote the development of ZABs with remarkably enhanced environmental adaptability.