Lithium-air batteries could replace conventional batteries

New battery generation Lithium-air batteries could replace conventional batteries

2025-02-07 Source: German Chemical Society | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

If Chinese researchers succeed in making the lifespan of so-called lithium-air batteries long enough, it could trigger a trend reversal in battery technology.

Lithium-ion batteries are well known. Lithium-air batteries are increasingly emerging as a better alternative. Now, Chinese researchers are said to have overcome some hurdles to improve this type of energy supplier...(Image: Battery King) — Lithium-ion batteries are well known. Lithium-air batteries are increasingly emerging as a better alternative. Now, Chinese researchers are said to have overcome some hurdles to improve this type of energy supplier...
(Image: Battery King)

Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, where lithium ions are essentially shuttled between two electrodes, the lithium-air battery (Li-O2) uses an anode made of metallic lithium, as researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Science explain. When this system is used, positively charged lithium ions dissolve from the metal and migrate to the porous, air-permeated cathode. Oxygen is bound as lithium peroxide (Li2O2) in the process. During charging, the oxygen is released again and the lithium ions are reduced to metallic lithium, which deposits back on the anode. Unfortunately, the exceptionally high performance values are only theoretical.

Everything gets better with special salt...

In practice, effects known as overvoltage slow down the electrochemical reactions. This is accompanied by only very slow formation and decomposition of the insoluble Li2O2, and the electrical conductivity of the peroxide is very low, it must be noted. The pores of the cathode also tend to clog, and the high voltage required for oxygen evolution decomposes the electrolyte. This causes undesirable side reactions, resulting in the batteries losing most of their capacity after just a few charge cycles. However, the Chinese have now proposed an iodine-based salt (1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide = DMII) as an additive that can improve both the performance and lifespan of lithium-air batteries as a catalyst and redox mediator. The involvement of the salt facilitates charge transport and accelerates the reaction in the battery. The overvoltage of the cathode is reduced (to only 0.52 volts) while the discharge capacity of the system is simultaneously increased. The cycle stability is expected to reach around 960 hours.

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