Response to Comment on “Cycling Li-O 2 batteries via LiOH formation and decomposition”

Abstract

Lithium-oxygen (Li-O 2 ) batteries cycle reversibly with lithium iodide (LiI) additives in dimethoxyethane (DME) to form lithium hydroxide (LiOH). Viswanathan et al. argue that because the standard redox potential of the four-electron (e − ) reaction, 4OH – ↔ 2H 2 O + O 2 + 4 e – , is at 3.34 V versus Li + /Li, LiOH cannot be removed by the triiodide ion (I 3 – ). However, under nonaqueous conditions, this reaction will occur at a different potential. LiOH also reacts chemically with I 3 – to form IO 3 – , further studies being required to determine the relative rates of the two reactions on electrochemical charge.