Metal-Air Batteries

Context

CSIR develops durable battery for energy solutions in remote sub-zero conditions that would benefit defence forces

About Metal-Air Batteries

• Newly developed zinc-air battery device
• An efficient and durable cathode catalyst and an anti-freezing electrolyte, making it reliable in extreme cold conditions, such as the Himalayas.
• Materials: These batteries use lighter metals (lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, iron) instead of heavy materials.
• Working Principle:
  • Metal-air batteries use a metal (like lithium, zinc, aluminum) as the anode and oxygen from the air as the cathode to produce electricity.

• Types of Metal-Air Batteries
  • Lithium-Air Batteries (Li-Air)
    • Advantages: High energy density, lightweight.
    • Challenges: Unstable, moisture-sensitive.
  • Zinc-Air Batteries (Zn-Air)
    • Advantages: High energy density, cost-effective, safe.
    • Challenges: Issues with recharging, dendrite formation.
  • Aluminum-Air Batteries (Al-Air)
    • Advantages: High energy density, abundant aluminum.
    • Challenges: Corrosion, hydrogen gas production.
• Advantages of Metal-Air Batteries
  • High Energy Density: Store more energy than lithium-ion batteries, ideal for long EV trips.
  • Lightweight: Utilize oxygen from the air, reducing weight.
  • Cost-Effective: Metals like zinc and aluminum are cheap and widely available.
• Disadvantages
  • Electrode Stability: Metal dendrite formation can cause short circuits.
  • Air Electrode Catalysis: Efficient and cost-effective catalysts are needed for oxygen reactions.
  • Moisture and CO2 Sensitivity: Performance can be affected by water and carbon dioxide.
• Applications of Metal-Air Batteries
  • Electric Vehicles (EVs): Can extend driving range, offering an alternative to regular batteries.
  • Grid Energy Storage: Suitable for storing energy from renewable sources like solar and wind.
  • Portable Electronics: Lightweight and powerful, enhancing portable device usage.

Government Initiatives – PLI Scheme:   Production Linked Incentive (PLI)Scheme for  Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC)  Battery Storage to promote advanced battery production, including metal-air technologies, aiming for self-reliance in battery manufacturing and reduced import dependence.

Source:
PIB

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Previous Year Question

With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps?

1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps.
2. As street lights, sodium lamps have longer life span than LED lamps.
3. The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street-lighting

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c)

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