Materials for Metal-Air Batteries

Metal-air batteries have received significant attention lately due to their inherent safety, potentially high capacity and use of relatively inexpensive materials. We will present results from our work on a Zn-air battery using novel polymer electrolyte membranes and cathode electrocatalysts. The membrane enhances capacity due to higher ionic conductivity, while the electrocatalyst facilitates low-overpotential operation for the oxygen reduction reaction. In this presentation, we will discuss the use of functionalized graphene oxide (FGO) nanocomposite ion exchange membranes and Fe-Mn cathode electrocatalyst.