A novel concept of Semi-solid, Li Redox Flow Air (O2) Battery: a breakthrough towards high energy and power batteries. (10th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruggeri, Irene; Arbizzani, Catia; Soavi, Francesca
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 206(2016)
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 300
• Publication Date: 2016-07-10
• Subjects: organic Li/O2 battery -- semi-solid catholyte -- redox flow battery -- Lithium Redox Flow Air (O2) Battery -- porous carbon; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.04.139
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Demonstrated a radically new concept: a non-aqueous semi-solid flow Li/O2 battery. The proof-of-concept is demonstrated by a catholyte with SP carbon in TEGDME-LiTFSI. The flowable semi-solid catholyte enables operation at up to 4 mA cm −2 . With such semi-solid catholyte achieved 175 mAh cm −2, 490 mWh cm −2 and 7.5 mW cm −2 . The semi-solid flow Li/O2 battery performance is limited by the lithium anode. Abstract: Worldwide efforts are being devoted to promote an efficient use of renewable energy sources and sustainable electric transportation. High efficiency energy conversion systems like batteries, which store/deliver high energy and power densities, are under development. While Li-ion batteries (LIBs) are the best performing batteries on the market and redox flow batteries are already used for stationary plants, a drastic step forward is needed to increase energy and power performance and decrease costs. Li/O2 batteries are considered the next generation due to significantly higher energy delivery than LIBs. We demonstrate a radically new battery concept: a non-aqueous Li/O2 battery that operates with a semi-solid, flowable catholyte. The proof-of-concept is proven by a catholyte based on 2% wt. SuperP carbon dispersed in tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether – lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide. Oxygen redox reaction at the semi-solid catholyte is investigated by electrochemical, morphological and spectroscopic analyses. The perfomance of a semi-solid, flow Li/O2 battery prototype operating at high discharge rates (up to 4 mA cm −2 ) with high discharge capacity (>175 mAh cm −2 ), energy (>500 mWh cm −2 ) and power (>7 mW cm −2 ) is reported. The strategies to approach the challenging target of 1 kWh kg −1 and 2 kWh L −1 are also discussed.