Critical advances in re-engineering the cathode-electrolyte interface in alkali metal-oxygen batteries

Xiaohui Peng,Lili Liu,Lijun Fu,Weiwei Fang,Yusong Zhu,Yihao Liu,Chen Wang,Jilei Ye,Yuping Wu

doi:10.20517/energymater.2021.15

Xiaohui Peng, Lili Liu + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.20517/energymater.2021.15

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Journal: Energy Materials	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2022
Citations: 35	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Nanjing Forestry University

Abstract

Due to its porous structure and special reaction characteristics, the cathode-electrolyte interface in alkali metal-oxygen batteries (AMOBs) has a substantial impact on their electrochemical performance. However, in traditional sandwich-like battery structures, the reaction position in the cathode is restricted to the finite planar cathode-electrolyte interface, leading to AMOBs with limited performance. As a result, a growing number of research studies have sought to re-engineer the cathode-electrolyte interface to enhance the performance of AMOBs. This review summarizes the latest methods published in recent years in this field and compares a variety of different techniques. Regardless of the method used, the ultimate goal is to expand the cathode-electrolyte interface to create more triple reaction activity sites for ions, oxygen and electrons. The most important performance improvement of AMOBs is reflected by the increased specific capacity. Additional challenges valuable for the further development of alkali metal-oxygen batteries are also discussed

Highlights

In recent decades, the massive use of fossil fuels and electricity has greatly improved living standards worldwide
Bonnet-Mercier et al.[53] incorporated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) electrodes into the solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) to reconstruct the interface between the electrolyte and cathode, resulting in a new design of 3D SPE structures for lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs)
Through a schematic diagram of the LOB [Figure 9A] and an Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of the integrated structural cross section [Figure 9B], a conclusion could be drawn from the structural diagram that the method of fabricating a cathode from an electrolyte material seemed to remove the interface between the cathode and the electrolyte in a conventional battery structure, allowing for better contact between oxygen, electronic and ionic conductors

Summary

Introduction

The massive use of fossil fuels and electricity has greatly improved living standards worldwide. The electrolyte material is coated on the surface of the porous cathode to form three continuous channels of electrons, ions and O2 [Figure 1B].

Results

Conclusion