China's Lithium-Air Battery Breakthrough Promises Long Lifespan and High Efficiency

CNChina|

A research team at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has announced a significant advancement in lithium-air batteries, achieving an impressive lifespan of over 960 hours and 95.8% efficiency. This new technology introduces a soluble catalyst into the battery's electrolyte, enhancing charge transport and preventing electrode passivation problems that have previously limited the practicality of lithium-air batteries.

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, lithium-air batteries utilize a metallic lithium anode, where lithium ions disperse during discharge, combining with oxygen to produce lithium peroxide. This process is reversed during charging. However, prior designs struggled with challenges such as high overpotential and product clogging in the cathode, leading to inefficiencies and rapid performance degradation.

The newly developed catalyst, 1,3-dimethyl imidazolium iodide, plays a key role in reducing overpotential and speeding up essential reactions. As a result, it lowers the energy demands for the oxygen generation process and improves the overall battery efficiency. Importantly, the innovation helps stabilize the anode and prolong the battery’s lifespan by minimizing electrolyte breakdown and unwanted side reactions.

This breakthrough in lithium-air battery technology marks a crucial development towards achieving efficient and durable high-capacity energy storage solutions, opening avenues for their practical application in various energy sectors.

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