Abstract:
Despite quite a good power density of currently 1 - 3 kW/kg upon discharge, lithium ion batteries suffer of a low energy density of not more than 0,15 kWh/kg. This is a factor of 80 below the one of hydrocarbons, and even with "5 Volt cathode materials", the energy density will hardly exceed 0,3 kWh/kg. Especially for electric cars, there is a need of batteries with a higher energy density if the cruising range of a mass market electric car shall not be limited to only 100 - 200 km. In this context, new battery designs are needed. It will be shown in this lecture that zinc/air batteries with ionic liquid based electrolytes have few promising properties, especially as the dendritic growth of Zn can be avoided. Furthermore, it is shortly discussed that Al/air and Si/air batteries might be the batteries of the future as both elements are abundant and comparably cheap. The challenges for rechargeable Al/air and Si/air batteries will be shortly discussed.
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