Electrically rechargeable zinc-oxygen flow battery with high power density

•A powerful, cyclically stable and electrically rechargeable zinc-oxygen battery was developed.•Copper and nickel foams were used as low-cost electrode materials.•A peak power density of 270 mW cm− 2 and a maximum current density of up to 600 mA cm− 2 were reached.•The cell could be performed for more than 600 cycles.

The development of a powerful, cyclically stable and electrically rechargeable zinc-oxygen battery with a three-electrode configuration is reported. A copper foam was used as stable substrate for zinc deposition in flowing potassium hydroxide electrolyte, while oxygen reduction and evolution were accomplished by a commercial silver electrode and a nickel foam, respectively. The cell could be charged and discharged with up to 600 mA cm− 2, delivered a peak power density of 270 mW cm− 2, and performed for more than 600 cycles, although short circuits by dendrite formation could not yet be completely avoided. At a current density of 50 mA cm− 2 and a temperature of 30 °C, a promising energy efficiency of 54% was achieved.

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