Systems using oxygen in batteries are targeting to improve specific capacity for the development of the next generation battery. Lithium-oxygen battery is one of the most promising battery system which can replace the current lithium-ion system. Since the reaction on the cathode during discharging only includes oxygen gas and lithium cation, the battery system is lighter than the conventional lithium-ion battery system, as a result, has high theoretical energy density. However, the high over potential required for charging and discharging causes low energy efficiency, low number of cycles, and degradation of electrolytes which is one of the main problems prohibiting the commercialization of lithium-oxygen battery. In order to understand mechanistic pathways of charging and discharging and improve the performance, direct observation of electrode reactions of Li-oxygen battery is needed. Here, we introduce the real-time observation of lithium-oxygen battery system using liquid phase biasing TEM. We also elucidate the roles of the discharge redox mediator, DBBQ, by observing morphological changes and growth rate of Li2O2 which is different from the case without DBBQ.

Direct observation of cathodic reaction in lithium-oxygen battery by <i>in situ</i> liquid phase transmission electron microscopy

256th National Meeting (2018)

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Direct observation of cathodic reaction in lithium-oxygen battery by in situ liquid phase transmission electron microscopy