The non-aqueous Li-air (O2) battery has attracted a great deal of interest recently because it can potentially far exceed the gravimetric energy storage density than today’s rechargeable battery technologies. The oxygen reduction reaction by lithium (Li-ORR) is a key electrochemical process at a Li-O2 cathode. Presently Li-O2 batteries suffer from poor discharge-charge efficiency, low current density, and capacity fading, much of which is likely due to parasitic reactions involving impurities that exist in almost all of the non-aqueous electrolytes, including residual protons and proton-containing compounds that can react with reduced oxygen species. To eliminate or alleviate the parasitic reactions, it is crucial to have a fundamental understanding of the ORR. In this talk we will present the results of a series of theoretical studies of the Li-ORR on metals, with a focus on the trend in ORR activity over different metals and the effect of electrode potential on the reaction mechanism. The new findings and improved understandings of the ORR will contribute to the further development of Li-O2 batteries.

Theoretical investigation of the oxygen reduction reaction in Li-O2 batteries

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.