The new electrolyte 'magic' may increase the life of lithium-oxygen batteries by 4 times

Lithium Oxygen Battery (LOB) is the focus of future generations of energy storage research, especially for popular electric vehicles. However, problems such as low charge and discharge efficiency, poor reversibility, and poor electrolyte stability hinder practical applications.

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The discovery of a new type of electrolyte will be possible Accelerate the rapid development of lithium-oxygen batteries.

Because of its high theoretical energy density, lithium-oxygen batteries (LOB) will be the focus of future generations of energy storage research, especially for popular electric vehicles. However, problems such as low charge and discharge efficiency, poor reversibility, and poor electrolyte stability hinder practical applications.

A typical non-aqueous lithium oxygen battery is based on a reversible electrochemical reaction between Li+ and O2. In this process, oxidation intermediates such as LiO2, O22-, OOH- or 1O2 may attack the organic electrolyte and cause performance degradation. Finding an electrolyte with higher stability is one of the key issues in LOB development.

Ether-based electrolytes are widely used in lithium-oxygen batteries due to their relatively high ionic conductivity, O2 solubility and electrochemical stability.

However, conventional ethers have weaknesses and are easily attacked by superoxide or singlet oxygen through hydrogen abstraction reactions, resulting in performance degradation during long-term operation.

Gao Gong Lithium was informed that a research team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology reported the development of a fully methylated cyclic ether, 2,2,4,4,5,5 -Hexamethyl-1,3-dioxolane (HMD), it is in the presence of O2- or 1O2.

In a paper in the journal AngewandteChemie, they reported that the cycle life of a battery using an HMD-based electrolyte is 157 cycles-compared with conventional 1,3-dioxide DOL or 1,2- batteries are 4 times longer. Dimethoxyethane (DME) based electrolyte.

Researchers will HMD have excellent stability in the presence of superoxide or singlet oxygen, because all active α-H atoms are replaced by methyl groups.

According to researchers, these findings may lead to the development of high-performance rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries.