Ambient Lithium–SO2 Batteries with Ionic Liquids as Electrolytes

Li‐SO₂ batteries have a high energy density but bear serious safety problems that are associated with pressurized SO₂ and flammable solvents in the system. Herein, a novel ambient Li‐SO₂ battery was developed through the introduction of ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes with tailored basicities to solvate SO₂ by reversible chemical absorption. By tuning the interactions of ILs with SO₂, a high energy density and good discharge performance with operating voltages above 2.8 V were obtained. This strategy based on reversible chemical absorption of SO₂ in IL electrolytes enables the development of the next generation of ambient Li‐SO₂ batteries.     

Carbon Nanotubes with Phthalocyanine-Decorated Surface Produced by NH3-Assisted Microwave Reaction and Their Catalytic Performance in Li/SOCl2 Battery

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)‐templated cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) assemblies are prepared by microwave reaction with the aid of NH₄Cl. The assemblies of CoPc/MWCNTs are added to the electrolyte of Li/SOCl₂ battery to show their potential application in the field of catalysis. The assemblies display a uniform coaxial nanotube structure. In the control test, the CoPc/MWCNTs synthesized without NH₄Cl exhibit the aggregation of the nanotubes of CoPc/MWCNTs. It indicates that the use of NH₄Cl as gas source is efficient in enhancing diffusion of the MWCNTs and controlling the growth of CoPc. The catalytic reduction of SOCl₂ can be carried out by CoPc molecules outside the assemblies and the MWCNTs inside the assemblies. The assemblies of CoPc/ MWCNTs exhibit excellent electrochemical catalytic activity to Li/SOCl₂ battery. The discharge energy of Li/SOCl₂ battery catalyzed by CoPc/MWCNTs is 144% higher than that of the battery without catalyst, and is 94% higher than the energy of Li/SOCl₂ battery catalyzed by bulk CoPc.     

The electrochemical properties of Li/TEGDME/MoS2 cells using multi-wall carbon nanotubes as a conducting agent

We investigated the first charge–discharge behavior and cycling property of Li batteries using MoS₂ electrodes with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) as a conducting agent. The MoS₂ electrode was prepared using MWNT as the conducting agent. The battery gave a high first discharge capacity of 440 mAhg^?1 with a plateau potential region at 1.1 V. The Li/MoS₂ battery using MWNT showed a higher discharge capacity compared to acetylene black. After ten cycles of the battery using MWNT, the discharge capacity decreased to 120 mAhg^?1, which corresponded to 30% of the first discharge capacity. Adding a carbon nanotube into the MoS₂ electrode improved the first discharge behavior, but did not affect the cycling property of the Li/MoS₂ cell.     

Temperature characteristics of nonaqueous Li–O2 batteries

Discharge/charge characteristics of Li–O₂ batteries at a test temperature of 343 K, using Super P carbon electrodes, have been explored in this paper based on ether-based electrolytes. Compared with ambient temperature, high temperature significantly influences the discharge/charge process of Li–O₂ batteries since discharging capacity increases at about 80 % and charging voltage plateau decreases from 4.2 to 3.5 V. The stability of stainless steel mesh with electrolyte at 343 K has been researched using cyclic voltammetry. This paper lays the bases for further research on Li–O₂ batteries in high-temperature areas.     

A New Perspective on Li–SO2 Batteries for Rechargeable Systems

Primary Li–SO₂ batteries offer a high energy density in a wide operating temperature range with exceptionally long shelf life and have thus been frequently used in military and aerospace applications. Although these batteries have never been demonstrated as a rechargeable system, herein, we show that the reversible formation of Li₂S₂O₄, the major discharge product of Li–SO₂ battery, is possible with a remarkably smaller charging polarization than that of a Li–O₂ battery without the use of catalysts. The rechargeable Li–SO₂ battery can deliver approximately 5400 mAh g^?1 at 3.1 V, which is slightly higher than the performance of a Li–O₂ battery. In addition, the Li–SO₂ battery can be operated with the aid of a redox mediator, exhibiting an overall polarization of less than 0.3 V, which results in one of the highest energy efficiencies achieved for Li–gas battery systems.     

The synthesis of porphyrin and metalporphyrins and their improvement to the property of Li/SOCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> primary battery

5-Hydroxyphenyl-11,15,20-triphenylporphyrin H₂Pp(1), and its six corresponding metalloporphyrins MnPp(2), FePp(3), CoPp(4), NiPp(5), CuPp(6), ZnPp(7) were synthesized and characterized. Their improvements to the Li/SOCl₂ battery were tested. The results show that the discharge voltages of the battery catalyzed by 1–5 are increased by approximately 20–120 mV except 6 and 7. And the discharge time is lengthened by 26.7–157.6 s for 1, 2, 5 and 7. The maximum initial discharge voltages of battery in the presence of 1–7 are also increased. It shows that the central metal ion influences the charge transfer process during the reduction of thionyl chloride.     

Efforts towards Practical and Sustainable Li/Na‐Air Batteries

The Li‐O₂ batteries have attracted much attention due to their parallel theoretical energy density to gasoline. In the past 20 years, understanding and knowledge in Li‐O₂ battery have greatly deepened in elucidating the relationship between structure and performance. Our group has been focusing on the cathode engineering and anode protection strategy development in the past years, trying to make full use of the superiority of metal‐air batteries towards applications. In this review, we aim to retrospect our efforts in developing practical, sustainable metal‐air batteries. We will first introduce the basic working principle of Li‐O₂ batteries and our progresses in Li‐O₂ batteries with typical cathode designs and anode protection strategies, which have together promoted the large capacity, long life and low charge overpotential. We emphasize the designing art of carbon‐based cathodes in this part along with a short talk on all‐metal cathodes. The following part is our research in Na‐O₂ batteries including both cathode and anode optimizations. The differences between Li‐O₂ and Na‐O₂ batteries are also briefly discussed. Subsequently, our proof‐of‐concept work on Li‐N₂ battery, a new energy storage system and chemistry, is discussed with detailed information on the discharge product identification. Finally, we summarize our designed models and prototypes of flexible metal‐air batteries that are promising to be used in flexible devices to deliver more power.     

Realizing Stable Carbonate Electrolytes in Li–O2/CO2 Batteries†

The increasing demand for high-energy storage systems has propelled the development of Li-air batteries and Li-O₂/CO₂ batteries to elucidate the mechanism and extend battery life. However, the high charge voltage of Li₂CO₃ accelerates the decomposition of traditional sulfone and ether electrolytes, thus adopting high-voltage electrolytes in Li-O₂/CO₂ batteries is vital to achieve a stable battery system. Herein, we adopt a commercial carbonate electrolyte to prove its excellent suitability in Li-O₂/CO₂ batteries. The generated superoxide can be captured by CO₂ to form less aggressive intermediates, stabilizing the carbonate electrolyte without reactive oxygen species induced decomposition. In addition, this electrolyte permits the Li metal plating/stripping with a significantly improved reversibility, enabling the possibility of using ultra-thin Li anode. Benefiting from the good rechargeability of Li₂CO₃, less cathode passivation, and stabilized Li anode in carbonate electrolyte, the Li-O₂/CO₂ battery demonstrates a long cycling lifetime of 167 cycles at 0.1 mA·cm^–2 and 0.25 mAh·cm^–2. This work paves a new avenue for optimizing carbonate-based electrolytes for Li-O₂ and Li-O₂/CO₂ batteries.      

Highly Rechargeable Lithium‐CO2 Batteries with a Boron‐ and Nitrogen‐Codoped Holey‐Graphene Cathode

Metal‐air batteries, especially Li‐air batteries, have attracted significant research attention in the past decade. However, the electrochemical reactions between CO₂ (0.04 % in ambient air) with Li anode may lead to the irreversible formation of insulating Li₂CO₃, making the battery less rechargeable. To make the Li‐CO₂ batteries usable under ambient conditions, it is critical to develop highly efficient catalysts for the CO₂ reduction and evolution reactions and investigate the electrochemical behavior of Li‐CO₂ batteries. Here, we demonstrate a rechargeable Li‐CO₂ battery with a high reversibility by using B,N‐codoped holey graphene as a highly efficient catalyst for CO₂ reduction and evolution reactions. Benefiting from the unique porous holey nanostructure and high catalytic activity of the cathode, the as‐prepared Li‐CO₂ batteries exhibit high reversibility, low polarization, excellent rate performance, and superior long‐term cycling stability over 200 cycles at a high current density of 1.0 A g⁻¹. Our results open up new possibilities for the development of long‐term Li‐air batteries reusable under ambient conditions, and the utilization and storage of CO₂.     

Effect of different conductive additives on charge/discharge properties of LiCoPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Li batteries

Single-phase LiCoPO₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by solid-state reaction method and subsequent high-energy ball milling. The electrochemical properties of LiCoPO₄/Li batteries were analyzed by ac impedance experiments, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and charge/discharge tests. The structural and morphological performance of LiCoPO₄ nanoparticles was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The XRD result demonstrated that LiCoPO₄ nanoparticles had an orthorhombic olivine-type structure with a space group of Pmnb. Different conductive additives including acetylene black and carbon black (SP270) were used to fabricate electrodes. The morphologies of the electrodes and different conductive additives were observed by field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). LiCoPO₄/Li battery with acetylene black showed the best electrochemical properties, and exhibited a discharge plateau at around 4.7 V with an initial discharge capacity of 110 mAh g⁻¹ at a discharge current density of 0.05 mA cm⁻² at 25 °C.     

A Long‐Life Lithium–Air Battery in Ambient Air with a Polymer Electrolyte Containing a Redox Mediator

Lithium–air batteries when operated in ambient air generally exhibit poor reversibility and cyclability, because of the Li passivation and Li₂O₂/LiOH/Li₂CO₃ accumulation in the air electrode. Herein, we present a Li–air battery supported by a polymer electrolyte containing 0.05 m LiI, in which the polymer electrolyte efficiently alleviates the Li passivation induced by attacking air. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that I⁻/I₂ conversion in polymer electrolyte acts as a redox mediator that facilitates electrochemical decomposition of the discharge products during recharge process. As a result, the Li–air battery can be stably cycled 400 times in ambient air (relative humidity of 15 %), which is much better than previous reports. The achievement offers a hope to develop the Li–air battery that can be operated in ambient air.     

A Long-Life Lithium–Air Battery in Ambient Air with a Polymer Electrolyte Containing a Redox Mediator

Lithium–air batteries when operated in ambient air generally exhibit poor reversibility and cyclability, because of the Li passivation and Li₂O₂/LiOH/Li₂CO₃ accumulation in the air electrode. Herein, we present a Li–air battery supported by a polymer electrolyte containing 0.05 m LiI, in which the polymer electrolyte efficiently alleviates the Li passivation induced by attacking air. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that I⁻/I₂ conversion in polymer electrolyte acts as a redox mediator that facilitates electrochemical decomposition of the discharge products during recharge process. As a result, the Li–air battery can be stably cycled 400 times in ambient air (relative humidity of 15 %), which is much better than previous reports. The achievement offers a hope to develop the Li–air battery that can be operated in ambient air.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity to Li/SOCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> battery of asymmetric and symmetric binuclear metal phthalocyanines

In our present work, the asymmetric and symmetric binuclear metal phthalocyanines (M₂(PcTN)₂ and M₂(PcTN)₂S), battery catalysts, were synthesized through microwave reaction and characterized by EA, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy. Their catalytic activity in the Li/SOCl₂ battery was evaluated by adding right amount catalysts into the electrolyte. The results indicated that the capacity of the catalyzed battery increased by 6.74–67.26% and 13.41–84.36%, and the energy increased by 9.29–65.72% and 14.77–88.15% respectively, compared with the battery without phthalocyanines.     

A Rechargeable Li‐CO2 Battery with a Gel Polymer Electrolyte

The utilization of CO₂ in Li‐CO₂ batteries is attracting extensive attention. However, the poor rechargeability and low applied current density have remained the Achilles’ heel of this energy device. The gel polymer electrolyte (GPE), which is composed of a polymer matrix filled with tetraglyme‐based liquid electrolyte, was used to fabricate a rechargeable Li‐CO₂ battery with a carbon nanotube‐based gas electrode. The discharge product of Li₂CO₃ formed in the GPE‐based Li‐CO₂ battery exhibits a particle‐shaped morphology with poor crystallinity, which is different from the contiguous polymer‐like and crystalline discharge product in conventional Li‐CO₂ battery using a liquid electrolyte. Accordingly, the GPE‐based battery shows much improved electrochemical performance. The achieved cycle life (60 cycles) and rate capability (maximum applied current density of 500 mA g⁻¹) are much higher than most of previous reports, which points a new way to develop high‐performance Li‐CO₂ batteries.     

Die Systeme des Typs MCl/AlCl3/SO2 (M = Li,Na, K,NH4)

The MCl/AlCl₃/SO₂ Systems (M = Li, Na, K, NH₄) Phase diagrams of the ternary systems of the type MCl/AlCl₃/SO₂ were determined by measurement of SO₂ pressure, solubilities, and by thermal analysis. The complete phase diagram in the range from ?30 to +50°C is given for the case M = Na, partial diagrams for M = Li, K, NH₄. There exist solid compounds of the type MAlCl₄ · nSO₂ (M = Li, Na; n = 1.5 and 3) (M = K; n = 1.5 and 5) (M = NH₄; n = 5). Liquid phases can be obtained at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in the NaCl or LiCl containing systems.     

The impedance of the Li+/Li electrode in SOCl2

Impedance measurements have been made on a lithium electrode in SOCl₂ containing 1.8 M LiAlCl₄. Impedance loci were recorded over a range of frequencies at a series of potentials.The results confirm the existence of a film on the Li electrode which grows continuously with time. Kinetic data for the Li⁺/Li ion exchange were estimated by arranging for measurements to be made as rapidly as possible and after a practical minimum time of electrode/electrolyte contact. The exchage current density for the lithium electrode was estimated under our best conditions to be 0.48 mA/cm² and α for the Li⁺ couple ≈ 0.59.     

The Stabilization Effect of CO2 in Lithium–Oxygen/CO2 Batteries

The lithium (Li)–air battery has an ultrahigh theoretical specific energy, however, even in pure oxygen (O₂), the vulnerability of conventional organic electrolytes and carbon cathodes towards reaction intermediates, especially O₂^?, and corrosive oxidation and crack/pulverization of Li metal anode lead to poor cycling stability of the Li‐air battery. Even worse, the water and/or CO₂ in air bring parasitic reactions and safety issues. Therefore, applying such systems in open‐air environment is challenging. Herein, contrary to previous assertions, we have found that CO₂ can improve the stability of both anode and electrolyte, and a high‐performance rechargeable Li–O₂/CO₂ battery is developed. The CO₂ not only facilitates the in situ formation of a passivated protective Li₂CO₃ film on the Li anode, but also restrains side reactions involving electrolyte and cathode by capturing O₂^?. Moreover, the Pd/CNT catalyst in the cathode can extend the battery lifespan by effectively tuning the product morphology and catalyzing the decomposition of Li₂CO₃. The Li–O₂/CO₂ battery achieves a full discharge capacity of 6628 mAh g^?1 and a long life of 715 cycles, which is even better than those of pure Li–O₂ batteries.     

Highly Rechargeable Lithium-CO2 Batteries with a Boron- and Nitrogen-Codoped Holey-Graphene Cathode

Metal-air batteries, especially Li-air batteries, have attracted significant research attention in the past decade. However, the electrochemical reactions between CO₂ (0.04 % in ambient air) with Li anode may lead to the irreversible formation of insulating Li₂CO₃, making the battery less rechargeable. To make the Li-CO₂ batteries usable under ambient conditions, it is critical to develop highly efficient catalysts for the CO₂ reduction and evolution reactions and investigate the electrochemical behavior of Li-CO₂ batteries. Here, we demonstrate a rechargeable Li-CO₂ battery with a high reversibility by using B,N-codoped holey graphene as a highly efficient catalyst for CO₂ reduction and evolution reactions. Benefiting from the unique porous holey nanostructure and high catalytic activity of the cathode, the as-prepared Li-CO₂ batteries exhibit high reversibility, low polarization, excellent rate performance, and superior long-term cycling stability over 200 cycles at a high current density of 1.0 A g⁻¹. Our results open up new possibilities for the development of long-term Li-air batteries reusable under ambient conditions, and the utilization and storage of CO₂.     

A Full Li–S Battery with Ultralow Excessive Li Enabled via Lithiophilic and Sulfilic W2C Modulation

The practical application of Li–S batteries demands low cell balance (Li_capacity/S_capacity), which involves uniform Li growth, restrained shuttle effect, and fast redox reaction kinetics of S species simultaneously. Herein, with the aid of W₂C nanocrystals, a freestanding 3D current collector is applied as both Li and S hosts owing to its lithiophilic and sulfilic property. On the one hand, the highly conductive W₂C can reduce Li nucleation overpotentials, thus guiding uniform Li nucleation and deposition to suppress Li dendrite growth. On the other hand, the polar W₂C with catalytic effect can enhance the chemisorption affinity to lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and guarantee fast redox kinetics to restrain S species in cathode region and promote the utilization of S. Surprisingly, a full Li–S battery with ultralow cell balance of 1.5:1 and high sulfur loading of 6.06 mg cm⁻² shows obvious redox plateaus of S and maintains high reversible specific capacity of 1020 mAh g⁻¹ (6.2 mAh cm⁻²) after 200 cycles. This work may shed new sights on the facile design of full Li–S battery with low excessive Li supply.     

Effect of oxygen-containing functional groups of carbon materials on the performance of Li–O2 batteries

In this communication, we present some new findings on surface oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) when used as cathode of Li–O₂ batteries. It is found that the content of oxygen-containing functional groups has a significant influence on the electrochemical performance of Li–O₂ batteries, by altering the electrical conductivity and density of electrocatalytically active sites of the CNTs and promoting side reactions of the electrolyte. An optimal surface oxygen atomic content of 6.0 at.% on CNTs is found to reach a balance and give the best cycling stability of the Li–O₂ battery under constant capacity and constant current density tests.