A reversible long-life lithium–air battery in ambient air

Abstract

Electrolyte degradation, Li dendrite formation and parasitic reactions with H 2 O and CO 2 are all directly correlated to reversibility and cycleability of Li-air batteries when operated in ambient air. Here we replace easily decomposable liquid electrolytes with a solid Li-ion conductor, which acts as both a catholyte and a Li protector. Meanwhile, the conventional solid air cathodes are replaced with a gel cathode, which contacts directly with the solid catholyte to form a closed and sustainable gel/solid interface. The proposed Li-air cell has sustained repeated cycling in ambient air for 100 cycles (B78 days), with discharge capacity of 2,000 mAh g À 1 . The recharging is based largely on the reversible reactions of Li 2 CO 3 product, originating from the initial discharge product of Li 2 O 2 instead of electrolyte degradation. Our results demonstrate that a reversible long-life Li-air battery is attainable by coordinated approaches towards the focal issues of electrolytes and Li metal.

A Bifunctional Organic Redox Catalyst for Rechargeable Lithium–Oxygen Batteries with Enhanced Performances

“…Therefore, catalysts have been utilized to reduce the overpotentials and to increase the cycle life. Potential catalysts such as metals, metal oxides, perovskite, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and organic compounds have been investigated 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. Ruthenium metal has recently demonstrated superior capability to reduce charge overpotential during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) over other catalysts 25.…”

Studies on the Effect of Nano-Sized MgO in Magnesium-Ion Conducting Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries

“…With the increasing demand for energy, people began to pursue advanced energy storage devices [1][2][3][4]. Considering the negligible danger and enhanced security, studies on rechargeable magnesium batteries are expected to have ample promise for development in the future [2][3][4][5][6].…”

Palladium-Filled Carbon Nanotubes Cathode for Improved Electrolyte Stability and Cyclability Performance of Li-O2Batteries

“…Lithium oxygen (Li-O 2 ) batteries have nearly 10 times the theoretical specific energy of common lithium-ion batteries and in that respect have been regarded as the batteries of the future. and other forms of carbons 13,14 have been commonly used as cathode materials in Li-O 2 batteries. Among carbon-based materials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely used in Li-O 2 cathodes due to their high specific surface area, good chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, and large accessibility of active sites.…”

“…2 Since the main discharge product (Li 2 O 2 ) and other discharge/charge byproducts in Li-O 2 batteries are electrically insulating and not soluble in electrolytes, the structure and electronic conductivity of cathode materials have been critical factors in determining the limiting capacity of Li-O 2 batteries. 4,5 Carbonaceous materials such as carbon nanoparticles, 6,7 carbon nanofibers, 8,9 carbon nanotubes, 7,8,10 graphene platelets, 11,12 and other forms of carbons 13,14 have been commonly used as cathode materials in Li-O 2 batteries. Among carbon-based materials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely used in Li-O 2 cathodes due to their high specific surface area, good chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, and large accessibility of active sites.…”