High-rate oxygen reduction in mixed nonaqueous electrolyte containing acetonitrile

Abstract

A mixed nonaqueous electrolyte that contains acetonitrile and propylene carbonate (PC) was found to be suitable for a Li-O2 battery with a metallic Li anode. Both the concentration and diffusion coefficient for the dissolved O2 are significantly higher in the mixed electrolyte than those in the pure PC electrolyte. A powder microelectrode was used to investigate the O2 solubility and diffusion coefficient. A 10 mA cm-2 discharge rate on a gas-diffusion electrode is demonstrated by using the mixed electrolyte in a Li-O2 cell. The first airbender: Li-air chemistry represents the highest energy density in chemical energy storage. A rate capability of 10 mA cm2 is demonstrated for the first time for the gas-diffusion electrode in nonaqueous electrolyte. The advancement could lead to a major improvement in Li-air technology. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.