Wang, C., Zhang, J., Lum, Y., Liu, M., Liu, Z., & Li, B. (2026). High voltage hybrid Zn-MnO2/air batteries via decoupled electrolyte. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 14(40), 27214–27223. https://doi.org/10.1039/d6ta01518b
Abstract:
Although aqueous Zn-air batteries offer high energy density, safety, and low cost, achieving a sufficiently high output voltage remains a challenge. Here, we propose a novel dual-electrochemical synergistic coupling mechanism to construct a decoupled-electrolyte Zn-MnO2/air hybrid battery, in which a single multifunctional C@Co-N-C electrode enables dynamic switching between the high-potential Mn2+/MnO2 conversion reaction and the high-capacity oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Nernst equation calculations indicate that under optimized conditions, the theoretical voltages of the Zn-MnO2 and Zn-air reactions reach 2.787 V and 2.653 V, respectively. During discharge, the hybrid battery first delivers a high-voltage Zn-MnO2 process at 2.63 V, followed by a high-capacity Zn-air process at 1.62 V. This sequential reaction mechanism achieves dual ultrahigh-voltage platforms in a single aqueous battery system for the first time, effectively overcoming the long-standing voltage limitation of conventional aqueous Zn-air batteries.
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Publisher Copyright
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) - Manufacturing, Trade, and Connectivity Programmatic Fund
Grant Reference no. : M24N6b0043