Disclosed are a metal/carbon-dioxide battery and a hydrogen production and carbon dioxide storage system including the same.

A metal air battery system is provided with: a battery device including a negative electrode, a metal body electrically connected to the negative electrode, and a positive electrode and having a chamber which is defined between the negative electrode and the metal body and through which an electrolytic solution flows; an oxygen separation device for separating oxygen from air; and a bubbling device for supplying a gas containing oxygen separated by the oxygen separation device into the electrolytic solution supplied to the chamber while bubbling the gas.

A metal air battery system is provided with: a battery device including a negative electrode, a metal body electrically connected to the negative electrode, and a positive electrode and having a chamber which is defined between the negative electrode and the metal body and through which an electrolytic solution flows; an oxygen separation device for separating oxygen from air; and a bubbling device for supplying a gas containing oxygen separated by the oxygen separation device into the electrolytic solution supplied to the chamber while bubbling the gas.

Methods of improving an aqueous metal-air battery are disclosed. The methods include forming a solid electrolyte on a conductive substrate; forming a protective surface on the solid electrolyte; having and improving separate oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution electrodes; improving the gas diffusion of the oxygen reduction and evolution electrodes; and improving the structure of the battery cell. Improved metal-air batteries including such improvements are further disclosed.

Methods of improving an aqueous metal-air battery are disclosed. The methods include forming a solid electrolyte on a conductive substrate; forming a protective surface on the solid electrolyte; having and improving separate oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution electrodes; improving the gas diffusion of the oxygen reduction and evolution electrodes; and improving the structure of the battery cell. Improved metal-air batteries including such improvements are further disclosed.

An electrochemical cell utilizes an air flow device that draws air through the cell from a scrubber that may be removed while the system is operating. The negative pressure generated by the air flow device allows ambient air to enter the cell housing when the scrubber is removed, thereby enabling continued operation without the scrubber. A moisture management system passes outflow air from the cell through a humidity exchange module that transfers moisture to the air inflow, thereby increasing the humidity of the air inflow. A recirculation feature comprising a valve allow a controller to recirculate at least a portion of the outflow air back into the inflow air. The system may comprise an inflow bypass conduit and valve that allows the humidified inflow air to pass into the cell inlet without passing through the scrubber. The scrubber may contain reversible or irreversible scrubber media.

An electrochemical cell utilizes an air flow device that draws air through the cell from a scrubber that may be removed while the system is operating. The negative pressure generated by the air flow device allows ambient air to enter the cell housing when the scrubber is removed, thereby enabling continued operation without the scrubber. A moisture management system passes outflow air from the cell through a humidity exchange module that transfers moisture to the air inflow, thereby increasing the humidity of the air inflow. A recirculation feature comprising a valve allow a controller to recirculate at least a portion of the outflow air back into the inflow air. The system may comprise an inflow bypass conduit and valve that allows the humidified inflow air to pass into the cell inlet without passing through the scrubber. The scrubber may contain reversible or irreversible scrubber media.

A method of making a free-standing nanoporous Zn is provided. The method includes compacting a predetermined amount of Zn compound precursor into a form of an anode; controlling a thickness of the Zn compound precursor to obtain desirable porosity; and reducing the Zn compound precursor in an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte at a predetermined volage against a reference electrode to obtain a nanoporous Zn anode. The nanoporous Zn includes continuous metal ligaments and pores each having a uniform width of around a few hundred nanometers. The nanoporous Zn may serve as an anode in a rechargeable Zn battery having the nanoporous Zn anode coupled to a conductive substrate, a physical block, an electrolyte, a reference electrode, and a cathode electrode, to deliver a high areal capacity and a long cycle life.

Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a cathode material within a lithium-air battery, where the cathode is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that improve the oxygen transport properties of electrolyte solution and improve the formation of lithium peroxide along the surface and/or within the pores of the carbon aerogel. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-air battery.

Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a cathode material within a lithium-air battery, where the cathode is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that improve the oxygen transport properties of electrolyte solution and improve the formation of lithium peroxide along the surface and/or within the pores of the carbon aerogel. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-air battery.