Metal-air battery

Metal - Air Batteery ( MAB )

  • Lithium

– Li has a higher theoretical specific energy density than other materials

– Li metal is explosively reactive with water and requires a non-aqueous electrolyte


  • Aluminum

– High energy density

– Impossible rechargeability due to instability of aluminum metal under alkaline electrolyte


  • Zinc

– Low cost, an abundance of raw material, low equilibrium potential, environmental benignity


Cathode of MAB

Oxygen Reduction Reaction ( ORR )



Anode of MAB

  • Requirements


– High specific surface area

– High electronic conductivity

– Conversion of metal oxide to metal during charge process


Electrolyte of MAB

  • Ion conductivity

– Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) Li+ : 3.869 S/cm2

–Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) Na+ : 5.011 S/cm2

– Potassium hydroxide (KOH) K+ : 7.352 S/cm2

  • Carbonization in Zn-air battery

2KOH + CO2 → K2CO3 + H2O

KOH + CO2 → KHCO3