From Lithium‐Oxygen to Lithium‐Air Batteries: Challenges and Opportunities |
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| Authors: | Dongsheng Geng Ning Ding T S Andy Hor Sheau Wei Chien Zhaolin Liu Delvin Wuu Xueliang Sun Yun Zong |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Chengdu Green Energy and Green Manufacturing Technology R&D Centre, Chengdu Science and Technology Development Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Chengdu, China;2. Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, Republic of Singapore;3. Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore;4. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Lithium ‐ air batteries have become a focus of research on future battery technologies. Technical issues associated with lithium‐air batteries, however, are rather complex. Apart from the sluggish oxygen reaction kinetics which demand efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts, issues are also inherited from the nature of an open battery system and the use of reactive metal lithium as anode. Lithium‐air batteries, which exchange oxygen directly with ambient air, face more challenges due to the additional oxidative agents of moisture, carbon dioxide, etc. which degrade the metal lithium anode, deteriorating the performance of the batteries. In order to improve the cycling performance one must hold a full picture of lithium‐oxygen electrochemistry in the presence of carbon dioxide and/or moisture and fully understand the fundamentals of chemistry reactions therein. Recent advances in the exploration of the effect of moisture and CO2 contaminants on Li‐O2 batteries are reviewed, and the mechanistic understanding of discharge/charge process in O2 at controlled level of moisture and/or CO2 are illustrated. Prospects for development opportunities of Li‐air batteries, insight into future research directions, and guidelines for the further development of rechargeable Li‐air batteries are also given. |
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| Keywords: | lithium‐air batteries ambient air operation oxygen cathodes non‐aqueous overpotential |
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