Analysis of The Main Uses And Application Prospects of Zinc-air Batteries

Analysis of the main uses and application prospects of zinc-air batteries

Introduction

As a special metal-air battery, zinc-air batteries have shown unique application value in many fields with their advantages such as high energy density, low cost and environmental protection. This article will systematically introduce the working principle, main uses and future development trends of zinc-air batteries.

Working principle and characteristics

Zinc-air batteries use zinc as the negative electrode, oxygen in the air as the positive electrode active substance, and the electrolyte usually uses an alkaline solution. Its typical characteristics include:

Ultra-high energy density: The theoretical value can reach 1350Wh/kg, far exceeding lithium batteries

Low-cost advantage: rich raw materials, the price is only 1/3 of lithium batteries

Environmental protection and safety: does not contain heavy metals, no risk of combustion and explosion

Discharge characteristics: requires continuous contact with air and cannot be sealed for storage

Main application areas

1. Hearing aid power supply

The current largest application market for zinc-air batteries:

Accounting for more than 90% of the global hearing aid battery market

Typical models: PR675, PR41 and other button batteries

Advantages: small size, large capacity, stable voltage

Usage characteristics: Need to tear off the sealing sticker to activate, generally can be used for 1-2 weeks

2. Medical monitoring equipment

Important applications in the medical field:

Portable blood glucose meter

Cardiac monitoring equipment

Disposable medical sensor

Advantages: safe and reliable, suitable for long-term implantable devices

3. Emergency backup power supply

Power supply guarantee in special scenarios:

Railway signal system backup power supply

Communication base station emergency power supply

Military equipment power supply

Features: can be stored for a long time and activated when used

4. Exploration of new energy vehicles

Potential applications in the field of electric vehicles:

Test power supply for electric buses

Power battery for logistics vehicles

Advantages: The driving range can reach 2-3 times that of lithium batteries

Challenges: Imperfect charging infrastructure

Technical challenges and development trends

Current technical bottlenecks

Low charging efficiency: Traditional models are mostly disposable

Environmental sensitivity: Humidity and carbon dioxide affect performance

Low power density: Not suitable for high-rate discharge scenarios

Future development direction

Breakthroughs in rechargeable technology:

Development of new bifunctional oxygen catalysts

Zinc electrode dendrite suppression technology

Application field expansion:

Grid-level energy storage system

Power supply for deep-sea exploration equipment

Power supply for IoT nodes

Optimization of material system:

Flexible zinc-air battery

Miniaturized integrated design

Market prospects

According to the latest research report:

The global zinc-air battery market size will reach US$1.2 billion in 2023

It is expected to grow to US$2.8 billion in 2030

The annual compound growth rate is about 12.5%

The medical electronics field will still maintain its dominant position

Conclusion

Zinc-air batteries have shown irreplaceable value in the subdivided field due to their unique performance advantages. With breakthroughs in rechargeable technology and innovations in material systems, this green battery is expected to be more widely used in areas such as energy storage and transportation, and become an important part of the future energy system.