Physical shortcut accelerating electron transport of rechargeable zinc-air battery

Abstract Air electrode acts as a gas-liquid phase change gateway of rechargeable zinc-air battery with dense energy, the charge/discharge induced the failure of which has a great impact on cycling performance of the battery. Tri-electrode configuration can answer the challenge of bi-functional catalysts at large current densities, but it would reduce energy density of the battery. Here we show that air electrode is connected to the charging electrode of nickel mesh in parallel, reducing the charging resistance without damaging air electrode. Rechargeable zinc-air battery with the parallelled circuit strategy exhibits stable performance and high energy advantages, and electron transport is accelerated by means of current collector of air electrode wrapping up the catalytic layer boundaries. A new zinc/nickel battery in between zinc electrode with the charging electrode is uncovered in the discharging process of rechargeable zinc-air battery, increasing load power supply.