Catalytic Disproportionation of the Superoxide Intermediate from Electrochemical O2 Reduction in Nonaqueous Electrolytes. Issue 26 (6th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Dong; Wang, Qiang; Lee, Hung‐Sui; Yang, Xiao‐Qing; Qu, Deyang
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 19:Issue 26(2013)
• Page Start: 8679
• Page End: 8683
• Publication Date: 2013-05-06
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201204506
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPFPB) was found to be an efficient catalyst for rapid superoxide (O₂⁻) disproportionation. The kinetics for the catalytic disproportionation reaction is much faster than the reaction between O₂⁻ and propylene carbonate. Therefore, the negative impact of the reaction between the electrolyte and O₂⁻ produced by the O₂ reduction is minimized. The cathodic current for O₂ reduction can be doubled in the presence of TPFPB. The high reduction current resulted from the pseudo two‐electron O₂‐reduction reaction due to the replenishment of O₂ at the electrode surface. This discovery could lead to a new avenue for the development of high‐capacity, high‐rate, rechargeable Li–air batteries.</p> </abstract>