1. Field
The present disclosure relates to metal air batteries, electrochemical cells and methods of operating the metal air batteries, and more particularly, to a metal air battery having an air purification module, an electrochemical cell having an air purification module and a method of operating the metal air battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrochemical cells, for example metal air batteries include a plurality of metal air battery cells. Each of the plurality of metal air battery cells includes a cathode that may absorb and discharge ions and an anode in which oxygen in air is used as an active material. Reduction and oxidation reactions of oxygen introduced from the outside occur in the anode, and oxidation and reduction reactions of a metal occur in the cathode. Chemical energy generated is thus converted into electrical energy, which is extracted to do work. For example, the metal air batteries absorb oxygen during discharge and discharge oxygen during charge. In this way, the metal air batteries use oxygen present in the air so that an energy density of the metal air batteries can be desirable. For example, the metal air battery may have an energy density that is equal to or several times greater than an energy density of a lithium ion battery.
In addition, the metal air batteries have a low ignition possibility caused by abnormal high temperature and thus have an excellent stability. The metal air batteries can operate only through absorption and discharging of oxygen without the need of using heavy metals and thus have less possibility of causing environmental contamination. Due to their various advantages, much research into metal air batteries has been performed. Nonetheless, an improved metal air battery is needed.