Breaking the Polarization Bottleneck: Innovative Pathways to High-Performance Metal–Air Batteries
Source abstract
Abstract
Metal–air batteries have excellent theoretical energy density and economic advantages through abundant anode materials and open cathode structures. However, the actual energy efficiency of metal–air batteries is much lower than the theoretical value due to the effect of polarization voltage during battery operation, limiting the power output and thus hindering their practical application. This review systematically dissects the origins of polarization: slow oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) kinetics, interfacial resistance, and mass transfer bottlenecks. We highlight cutting-edge strategies to mitigate polarization, including atomic-level engineering of air cathodes (e.g., single-atom catalysts, low Pt catalysts), biomass-derived 3D porous electrodes, and electrolyte innovations (additives to inhibit corrosion, solid-state electrolytes to improve stability). In addition, breakthroughs in metal–H2O2 battery design using concentrated liquid oxygen sources are discussed. Together, these advances alleviate the battery polarization bottleneck and pave the way for practical applications of metal–air batteries in electric vehicles, drones, and deep-sea devices.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Advancements in Battery Materials · Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies · Advanced battery technologies research
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Future Energy Laboratory, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials and Devices of Anhui Province, Engineering Research Center of High-Performance Copper Alloy Materials and Processing, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230009, China
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
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