Early in the morning, when you press the TV remote control, a familiar touch comes to your
fingertips. Behind this seemingly simple action, what drives the electronic signals across the
circuit is probably an unassuming zinc electrode battery. From the power source in the toy cars
of our childhood to the silent backup power system in the corners of the city, zinc electrodes
have become an indispensable “cornerstone” in the world of electrochemistry with their
unique charm.
Why Zinc? -- Zinc is a natural electrode material.
The abundance of zinc in the earth's crust and the maturity and stability of its mining and smelting
technology give it an unrivaled cost advantage. Zinc also excels in electrochemical properties:
Excellent electrochemical activity: Zinc has a standard electrode potential of approximately -0.76V
(relative to a standard hydrogen electrode), making it an ideal negative electrode material for battery
applications, capable of delivering high voltages and energy.
High Theoretical Specific Capacity: A theoretical specific capacity of up to 820 mAh/g means that a
large charge can be stored and released per unit mass of zinc.
Environmentally friendly: Zinc itself has low toxicity and its compounds are relatively easy to dispose
of or recycle, meeting increasingly stringent environmental requirements.
Vertical and horizontal applications - the wide world of zinc electrodes
The “backbone” of primary batteries:
Zinc-manganese batteries: The zinc negative electrode is at the heart of both everyday alkaline zinc-manganese
batteries (alkaline batteries) and traditional zinc-carbon batteries. With low price, stable performance and wide
applicability, they occupy the absolute mainstream of the dry battery market.
Zinc air batteries: These batteries utilize oxygen in the air as the positive reactant and zinc as the negative
electrode. Its theoretical energy density is extremely high (up to several times that of lithium-ion batteries),
and it shows great potential in the field of hearing aids, power supply for remote IoT devices, and large-scale
stationary energy storage, especially its “mechanical charging” (replacement of zinc electrodes) feature, which
greatly shortens the “charging” time. "time.
Zinc-silver batteries: Although the cost is higher, but its excellent multiplier performance and stable voltage
platform, so that in aerospace, torpedoes and other special areas requiring high power, high reliability occupy a place.
The “potential new star” of secondary batteries:
Zinc ion battery: This is one of the current hot spots in energy storage research. It utilizes the reversible
deposition/dissolution of zinc ions (Zn²⁺) at the negative electrode and embedding/de-embedding of zinc
ions in the positive electrode material in an aqueous electrolyte to achieve charging and discharging. Its core
advantages are:
Intrinsically safe: the use of non-flammable aqueous electrolyte completely avoids the risk of combustion and
explosion of organic electrolyte batteries.
Low cost: Zinc is abundant and the electrolyte system is simple.
Eco-friendly and easy to recycle: The material system has a low environmental burden.
Despite the challenges of zinc dendrite growth and cycle life enhancement, zinc ion batteries have a promising
future in medium and large-scale energy storage (e.g., grid peaking, renewable energy support) and specific
power applications.
The “invisible guardian” of electrochemical protection:
Cathodic protection: Zinc (or zinc alloy) sacrificial anode is widely used in the anti-corrosion engineering of ships,
offshore platforms, underground pipelines and other steel facilities. It dissolves through its own priority corrosion,
releasing electrons to protect the steel body from electrochemical corrosion, is to extend the life of the facility, the
key technology to ensure safety.
The “surface artist” of the electroplating industry:
Zinc plating: Zinc electrode as an anode, dissolved under the action of the current to provide zinc ions, so that the
zinc ions in the steel and other substrates (cathode) surface deposition, the formation of bright, dense,
corrosion-resistant zinc plating layer, is the automotive, construction, hardware, and other industries, an
important anti-corrosion treatment process.
Challenges and breakthroughs - the evolution of zinc electrodes
Zinc electrodes are not perfect and face key challenges in their development:
Zinc dendrites: In rechargeable zinc batteries, uneven deposition of zinc can lead to the formation of dendritic
crystals (dendrites), which can puncture the diaphragm and lead to short circuits, posing a serious threat to
battery safety and life.
Hydrogen precipitation: Zinc in acidic or neutral aqueous solutions may undergo a hydrogen precipitation side
reaction, depleting the active material and reducing the Coulombic efficiency.
Deformation and passivation: Zinc electrodes may change shape (deformation) or form a dense passivation
layer on the surface during charging and discharging cycles, which affects the reactivity and cycle stability.
Looking to the future: the zinc promise of green kinetic energy
Zinc electrode technology is on the verge of a breakthrough as research progresses:
Electrolyte engineering: Developing high-concentration “water-in-salt” electrolytes, adding special additives, and
designing gel/solid electrolytes to effectively inhibit dendrites and side reactions.
Electrode structure design: Construct 3D porous collector, surface modification, composite anode materials, etc.
to guide the uniform deposition/dissolution of zinc.
Exploration of new battery systems: Zinc-bromine flow batteries, zinc-nickel batteries and other systems are being
continuously optimized.
Under the global wave of pursuing the “dual carbon” goal, the demand for safe, low-cost and sustainable energy storage
technology is more urgent than ever. Zinc electrode, by virtue of its resource endowment, environmental friendliness
and unique value in many application scenarios, is gradually stepping into the center of the green energy arena from
an obscure “cornerstone” role.
When we press the remote control, enjoy convenient communication, and rely on a secure infrastructure, we might as
well think about the silent but crucial role played by zinc electrodes. This piece of metal hidden deep in the earth is
being continuously given a new mission by human wisdom - from driving tiny electrons to supporting the dream of
a grand energy transition. The future of zinc electrodes is full of exciting “zinc” possibilities.