Recent Advances in Li Anode for Aprotic Li-O₂ Batteries

Abstract

The aprotic Li-O2 battery has attracted considerable interest in recent years because of its high theoretical specific energy that is far greater than that achievable with state-of-the-art Li-ion technologies. To date, most Li-O2 studies, based on a cell configuration with a Li metal anode, aprotic Li + electrolyte and porous O2 cathode, have focused on O2 reactions at the cathode. However, these reactions might be complicated by the use of Li metal anode. This is because both the electrolyte and O2 (from cathode) can react with the Li metal and some parasitic products could cross over to the cathode and interfere with the O2 reactions occurring therein. In addition, the possibility of dendrite formation on the Li anode, during its multiple plating/stripping cycles, raises serious safety concerns that impede the realization of practical Li-O2 cells. Therefore, solutions to these issues are urgently needed to achieve a reversible and safety Li anode. This review summarizes recent advances in this field and strategies for achieving high performance Li anode for use in aprotic Li-O2 batteries. Topics include alternative counter/reference electrodes, electrolytes and additives, composite protection layers and separators, and advanced experimental techniques for studying the Li anode | electrolyte interface. Future developments in relation to Li anode for aprotic Li-O2 batteries are also discussed. 486 ZHANG Yan-Tao et al.: Recent Advances in Li Anode for Aprotic Li-O2 Batteries No.3 WANG Liang, obtained his Bachelor degree in Institute of Polymer Materials at School of Materials Science & Engineering, Shandong University in 2015. He is now a 2nd year Master student in Prof. PENG Zhang-Quan′s group at Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry (CIAC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). His current research interest is focused on the fundamental mechanisms of lithium anode in rechargeable aprotic lithium-oxygen batteries. PENG Zhang-Quan, obtained his Bachelor in Wuhan University in 1997 and received his MSc and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from

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