A rechargeable solid-state proton battery with an intercalating cathode and an anode containing a hydrogen-storage material

Abstract

Rechargeable proton batteries have been fabricated with the configuration Zn + ZnSO4 · 7H2O/ /solid-state proton conductor/ /C + electrolyte + intercalating PbO2 + V2O5. The solid-state proton conductor is phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40 · nH2O) or a H3PW12O40 · nH2O + Al2(SO4)3 · 16H2O composite. The maximum cell voltage is ∼ 1.8 V at full charge. The cell can run for more than 300 h at low current drain (2.5 μA cm-2). Further, the cell can withstand 20 to 30 cycles. The addition of a metal hydride in the anode side enhances the rechargeability and the addition of a small amount of Al2(SO4)3 · 16H2O in the H3PW12O40 · nH2O electrolyte improves the performance of the battery. © 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.