Electrochemical Parametric Study of Cement Based Energy Device Using Fibers as Contacts
摘要
This paper introduces a novel approach to integrating energy storage into cementitious materials, addressing both structural and energy demands in the development of smart infrastructure. This study explores the performance characteristics of cement-based batteries by evaluating the role of carbon fiber (CF) and steel fiber (SF) as electrical contacts, with cement mixed zinc (Zn) as anode and manganese dioxide (MnO2) as cathode. Graphite is used as electrically conductive carbon-based additive to improve the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the electrodes and polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used as a self-curing agent to enhance hydration in the cement-based battery. The variation in ionic conductivity during the curing process in different curing environments–Alum salt (AlK(SO4)2∙12H2O), Epsom salt (MgSO4∙7H2O), and Sodium Chloride (NaCl)–is analyzed. This study investigates the performance metrics such as open circuit voltage(OCV), cyclic voltammetry and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to evaluate the suitability of these materials in cement-based battery systems. Results indicate that the addition of graphite increased OCV by approximately 25%, improving the battery's electrical performance. Conversely, PEG slightly reduced OCV due to its resinous structure. The horizontal configuration exhibited superior OCV performance among the tested orientations by optimizing conductive pathways. Salt curing, particularly with Epsom salt, further improved ionic conductivity compared to alum salt and sodium chloride. The incorporation of carbon fiber resulted in an OCV of 920 mV, significantly higher than the 820 mV achieved using steel fiber. The inclusion of carbon fiber effectively enhanced the OCV through the formation of continuous conductive networks, while steel fiber showed reduced efficiency due to corrosion effects. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed improved ionic conductivity in carbon fiber systems and lower bulk resistance. Conversely, steel fibers demonstrated inferior performance due to corrosion and increased resistance. These findings highlight the superior electrical performance of carbon fiber over steel fiber in cement-based batteries and highlight the significance of orientation, additive composition, and curing method in optimizing multifunctional cementitious materials. The outcomes demonstrate potential for real-world applications in powering low-power electronic devices, enabling impressed current cathodic protection, and advancing self-powered structural health monitoring systems.