nl4021649_si_001.pdf (7.72 MB)
Reactivity of Carbon in Lithium–Oxygen Battery Positive Electrodes
journal contribution
posted on 2013-10-09, 00:00 authored by Daniil M. Itkis, Dmitry
A. Semenenko, Elmar Yu. Kataev, Alina I. Belova, Vera S. Neudachina, Anna P. Sirotina, Michael Hävecker, Detre Teschner, Axel Knop-Gericke, Pavel Dudin, Alexei Barinov, Eugene
A. Goodilin, Yang Shao-Horn, Lada V. YashinaUnfortunately,
the practical applications of Li–O2 batteries are
impeded by poor rechargeability. Here, for the first time we show
that superoxide radicals generated at the cathode during discharge
react with carbon that contains activated double bonds or aromatics
to form epoxy groups and carbonates, which limits the rechargeability
of Li–O2 cells. Carbon materials with a low amount
of functional groups and defects demonstrate better stability thus
keeping the carbon will-o’-the-wisp lit for lithium–air
batteries.