Human Hemoglobin-Based Zinc–Air Battery in a Neutral Electrolyte

Abstract

The use of human hemoglobin (Hb) as a catalytic component of the air electrode in a primary zinc–air battery with a neutral electrolyte has been investigated. Three different electrode modifications, using the drop-casting method, with Hb and Nafion were first tested in a three-electrode cell, obtaining the best oxygen electroreduction (ORR) performance and long-term stability with a Hb plus Nafion (Hb–Nafion)-modified electrode. The latter Hb–Nafion-based air electrode provided a higher specific capacity and discharge time than the opposite order (Nafion–Hb).