This invention describes an affordable, renewable, sustainable (ARS) system to produce electricity, comprising a zinc air fuel cell (ZAFC) and photovoltaic cell. This ZAFC produces electricity operating in the pH range of 6.5-8.5 such that the primary waste species in the electrolyte are zinc cations of Zn.sup.+2 and ZnOH.sup.+. These cations are reduced by electrons from photovoltaic cells, and this ZAFC is easily rechargeable with a photovoltaic cell, and it can be overcharged. Also the electrolyte can be separated from the cell, and plating with photo reduction of zinc occurs rapidly on graphite, copper, or zinc cathodes. The efficiency of the ZAFC is approximately 58%, plus the added efficiency of reclaimed reduced zinc cations to zinc, either through recharging or plating. The electrolyte can be seawater or saline. The raw materials for this ZAFC are sufficiently available such that this system could provide ARS electricity.

One aspect of the sheet-like air cell of the present invention includes a positive electrode having a catalyst layer, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte solution that are housed in a sheet-like outer case. The electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution that contains an electrolyte salt and has a pH of 3 or more and less than 12. The electrolyte solution contains a water-soluble high-boiling solvent with a boiling point of 150° C. or more in an amount of 3 to 30% by mass of the total solvent. Another aspect of the sheet-like air cell of the present invention includes a positive electrode having a catalyst layer, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte that are housed in a sheet-like outer case. The electrolyte is obtained by blending an electrolyte solution and a thickening agent. The electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution that contains an electrolyte salt and has a pH of 3 or more and less than 12.

One aspect of the sheet-like air cell of the present invention includes a positive electrode having a catalyst layer, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte solution that are housed in a sheet-like outer case. The electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution that contains an electrolyte salt and has a pH of 3 or more and less than 12. The electrolyte solution contains a water-soluble high-boiling solvent with a boiling point of 150° C. or more in an amount of 3 to 30% by mass of the total solvent. Another aspect of the sheet-like air cell of the present invention includes a positive electrode having a catalyst layer, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte that are housed in a sheet-like outer case. The electrolyte is obtained by blending an electrolyte solution and a thickening agent. The electrolyte solution is an aqueous solution that contains an electrolyte salt and has a pH of 3 or more and less than 12.

A battery includes an air cathode, an anode, an aqueous electrolyte, and a housing, wherein, the housing includes one or more air access ports defining a total vent area, the battery exhibit a current density, a ratio of current density to total vent area is greater than about 100 mA/mm.sup.2, and the aqueous electrolyte comprises an amphoteric fluorosurfactant.

A battery includes an air cathode, an anode, an aqueous electrolyte, and a housing, wherein, the housing includes one or more air access ports defining a total vent area, the battery exhibit a current density, a ratio of current density to total vent area is greater than about 100 mA/mm.sup.2, and the aqueous electrolyte comprises an amphoteric fluorosurfactant.

Provided is a laminate battery in which a short circuit between a negative electrode active material and a positive electrode due to expansion of the negative electrode active material during discharging is prevented.

A laminate battery includes a battery case that serves as an outer case. The laminate battery includes an inner case within a battery case 11, and the inner case is formed of a positive electrode storage case and a separator. An inside of the inner case serves as a positive electrode storage portion that stores a positive electrode. An outside of the inner case serves as a negative electrode storage portion that stores a negative electrode. The negative electrode uses a particulate negative electrode active material (e.g., zinc or zinc oxide).

Provided is a laminate battery in which a short circuit between a negative electrode active material and a positive electrode due to expansion of the negative electrode active material during discharging is prevented.

A laminate battery includes a battery case that serves as an outer case. The laminate battery includes an inner case within a battery case 11, and the inner case is formed of a positive electrode storage case and a separator. An inside of the inner case serves as a positive electrode storage portion that stores a positive electrode. An outside of the inner case serves as a negative electrode storage portion that stores a negative electrode. The negative electrode uses a particulate negative electrode active material (e.g., zinc or zinc oxide).

Provided is an electrochemical oxygen reduction catalyst comprising platinum-containing nanoparticles and at least one member selected from the group consisting of a specific polymer containing a melamine compound as a monomer and a specific melamine compound, the electrochemical oxygen reduction catalyst having not only high oxygen reduction activity (low overvoltage), but also high durability at 70 to 85° C., which are practical temperature conditions.

Provided is an electrochemical oxygen reduction catalyst comprising platinum-containing nanoparticles and at least one member selected from the group consisting of a specific polymer containing a melamine compound as a monomer and a specific melamine compound, the electrochemical oxygen reduction catalyst having not only high oxygen reduction activity (low overvoltage), but also high durability at 70 to 85° C., which are practical temperature conditions.

A metal-air battery includes: a cathode formed of a co-continuous body having a three dimensional network structure formed by an integrated plurality of nanostructures having branches; a foil- or plate-like anode formed of a metal; a separator that absorbs a liquid, which is to be an electrolytic solution; and a foil- or plate-like current collector formed of a metal. The metal-air battery is formed with a wound structure in which the current collector, the cathode, the separator, the anode, and the separator are superimposed and wound in this order.