LAUSR

Abstract Beyond reasonable designing catalysts, the optimization of preparing air cathode has far-reaching implications for the development of Zinc-air batteries. In this study, the effect of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in current collecting layer on the performance of Zinc-air battery was investigated. The results showed that as the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) content and heat treatment temperature changed, the hydrophobicity and porosity of current collecting layer also changed, thereby affecting the performance of air cathode. The air cathode assembled with PTFE-3-300 possessed an excellent electrochemical performance, which was prepared by brushing PTFE and acetylene black (wherein the mass ratio of them is 18:5) on current collecting layer and then heating at 300 °C. The obtained air cathode displayed relatively small polarization loss and excellent rate performance, showing a polarization potential of - 0.405 V vs. Hg/HgO at 100 mA cm−2 and the voltage retention of 94.47% from 5 to 20 mA cm−2. Besides, the air cathode displayed excellent discharge stability maintaining average potential 1.3249 V for 100 h. Based on this work, a detailed understanding of the relationship of PTFE and current collecting layer can be achieved to improve the electrode design, architecture and fabrication.