An O2 cathode for rechargeable lithium batteries: The effect of a catalyst

Débart, Aurélie; Bao, Jianli; Armstrong, Graham; Bruce, Peter G.

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.06.180

Cited by 595 publications

(540 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Various electrocatalysts including carbons, metals and metal oxides have been examined as the cathode catalysts in the Li-O 2 cells to lower the charge overpotential. Some of the early work on Li-O 2 batteries was based on carbonate electrolytes including catalysts such as aMnO 2 , Co 3 O 4 , Mn 3 O 4 and PtAu [11][12][13][14][15] . However, carbonate electrolytes were found to decompose in Li-O 2 batteries 1,16,17 and consequently researchers turned to ether-based electrolytes, which have greater stability 8,11,18 .…”

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confidence: 99%

A nanostructured cathode architecture for low charge overpotential in lithium-oxygen batteries

et al. 2013

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The lithium-oxygen battery, of much interest because of its very high-energy density, presents many challenges, one of which is a high-charge overpotential that results in large inefficiencies. Here we report a cathode architecture based on nanoscale components that results in a dramatic reduction in charge overpotential to B0.2 V. The cathode utilizes atomic layer deposition of palladium nanoparticles on a carbon surface with an alumina coating for passivation of carbon defect sites. The low charge potential is enabled by the combination of palladium nanoparticles attached to the carbon cathode surface, a nanocrystalline form of lithium peroxide with grain boundaries, and the alumina coating preventing electrolyte decomposition on carbon. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy provides evidence for the nanocrystalline form of lithium peroxide. The new cathode material architecture provides the basis for future development of lithium-oxygen cathode materials that can be used to improve the efficiency and to extend cycle life.

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confidence: 99%

A nanostructured cathode architecture for low charge overpotential in lithium-oxygen batteries

et al. 2013

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“…However, experimental work has indicated the presence of overpotentials, 1−1.5 V on charging, and rate limitations. 25,26 Several investigators have suggested the use of transition metal oxides as catalysts to address these issues. 27,28 Rutile MnO 2 , particularly in nanowire form, has been demonstrated to reduce overpotentials and improve the cycling stability of the Lioxygen system.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rutile (β-)MnO₂ Surfaces and Vacancy Formation for High Electrochemical and Catalytic Performance

2014

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MnO 2 is a technologically important material for energy storage and catalysis. Recent investigations have demonstrated the success of nanostructuring for improving the performance of rutile MnO 2 in Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors and as a catalyst. Motivated by this we have investigated the stability and electronic structure of rutile (β-)MnO 2 surfaces using density functional theory. A Wulff construction from relaxed surface energies indicates a rod-like equilibrium morphology that is elongated along the c-axis, and is consistent with the large number of nanowire-type structures that are obtainable experimentally. The (110) surface dominates the crystallite surface area. Moreover, higher index surfaces than considered in previous work, for instance the (211) and (311) surfaces, are also expressed to cap the rod-like morphology. Broken coordinations at the surface result in enhanced magnetic moments at Mn sites that may play a role in catalytic activity. The calculated formation energies of oxygen vacancy defects and Mn reduction at key surfaces indicate facile formation at surfaces expressed in the equilibrium morphology. The formation energies are considerably lower than for comparable structures such as rutile TiO 2 and are likely to be important to the high catalytic activity of rutile MnO 2 . ■ INTRODUCTIONEnergy storage for hybrid electric vehicles and renewable energy sources is a pressing technological challenge for which Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors are key candidate systems. The conventional Li-ion intercalation cathode, LiCoO 2 , faces challenges of toxicity and high cost. Current supercapacitors based on carbon cathodes are limited by their storage capacity. The demand for higher capacity and higher power energy storage has led to a surge in interest in nanostructured electrodes. 1 Nanostructuring has been shown to improve the energy storage properties of rutile MnO 2 for both Li-ion batteries 2,3 and supercapacitors. 4−6 However, the mechanisms for this improvement are not fully understood on the atomic-scale. In addition to its role as an electrode material, nanostructured rutile MnO 2 has been shown to give good performance as a catalyst, 7 with much recent interest in its potential role in the Li−O 2 battery. 8 Knowledge of the surface features of rutile MnO 2 at the atomic and electronic level would provide valuable information regarding its energy storage and catalytic mechanisms. With the clear impetus to better understand the performance of rutile MnO 2 in three technologies, Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors and catalysis, in this work we apply first-principles simulations to understand surface phenomena in this promising material.Rutile MnO 2 is the subject of extensive research for its applications in Li-ion batteries, but early work indicated that bulk samples did not allow significant Li-ion intercalation. 2,9,10

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“…The nano-sized catalyst's role in reducing discharge/charge overpotentials has been widely researched [107][108][109][110][111] (see also Table 4). It is based on very straightforward and intuitive reasoning that the specific catalyst activity increases as the surface area per gram of the catalyst increases, i.e., the smaller the size of the catalyst particle the greater the catalyst activity.…”

Section: Survey Of Catalyst Research In Li-air Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Practical Challenges Associated with Catalyst Development for the Commercialization of Li-air Batteries

Park

Kim

Seo

et al. 2014

Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology

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ABSTRACT:Li-air cell is an exotic type of energy storage and conversion device considered to be half battery and half fuel cell. Its successful commercialization highly depends on the timely development of key components. Among these key components, the catalyst (i.e., the core portion of the air electrode) is of critical importance and of the upmost priority. Indeed, it is expected that these catalysts will have a direct and dramatic impact on the Li-air cell's performance by reducing overpotentials, as well as by enhancing the overall capacity and cycle life of Li-air cells. Unfortunately, the technological advancement related to catalysts is sluggish at present. Based on the insights gained from this review, this sluggishness is due to challenges in both the commercialization of the catalyst, and the fundamental studies pertaining to its development. Challenges in the commercialization of the catalyst can be summarized as 1) the identification of superior materials for Li-air cell catalysts, 2) the development of fundamental, material-based assessments for potential catalyst materials, 3) the achievement of a reduction in both cost and time concerning the design of the Li-air cell catalysts. As for the challenges concerning the fundamental studies of Li-air cell catalysts, they are 1) the development of experimental techniques for determining both the nano and micro structure of catalysts, 2) the attainment of both repeatable and verifiable experimental characteristics of catalyst degradation, 3) the development of the predictive capability pertaining to the performance of the catalyst using fundamental material properties. Therefore, under the current circumstances, it is going to be an extremely daunting task to develop appropriate catalysts for the commercialization of Li-air batteries; at least within the foreseeable future. Regardless, nano materials are expected to play a crucial role in this field.

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An O2 cathode for rechargeable lithium batteries: The effect of a catalyst

Cited by 595 publications

References 19 publications

A nanostructured cathode architecture for low charge overpotential in lithium-oxygen batteries

A nanostructured cathode architecture for low charge overpotential in lithium-oxygen batteries

Rutile (β-)MnO₂ Surfaces and Vacancy Formation for High Electrochemical and Catalytic Performance

Practical Challenges Associated with Catalyst Development for the Commercialization of Li-air Batteries

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An O2 cathode for rechargeable lithium batteries: The effect of a catalyst

Cited by 595 publications

References 19 publications

A nanostructured cathode architecture for low charge overpotential in lithium-oxygen batteries

A nanostructured cathode architecture for low charge overpotential in lithium-oxygen batteries

Rutile (β-)MnO2 Surfaces and Vacancy Formation for High Electrochemical and Catalytic Performance

Practical Challenges Associated with Catalyst Development for the Commercialization of Li-air Batteries

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Rutile (β-)MnO₂ Surfaces and Vacancy Formation for High Electrochemical and Catalytic Performance