Issue 44, 2023

Protecting Li-metal in O2 atmosphere by a sacrificial polymer additive in Li–O2 batteries

Abstract

Li–O2 batteries (LOBs) with Li-metal as the anode are characterized by their high theoretical energy density of 3500 W h kg−1 and are thus considered next-generation batteries with an unlimited potential. However, upon cycling in a harsh O2 atmosphere, the poor-quality solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film formed on the surface of the Li-metal anode cannot effectively suppress the shuttle effect from O2, superoxide species, protons, and soluble side products. These issues lead to aggravated Li-metal corrosion and hinder the practical development of LOBs. In this work, a polyacrylamide-co-polymethyl acrylate (PAMMA) copolymer was innovatively introduced in an ether-based electrolyte as a sacrificial additive. PAMMA was found to preferentially decompose and promote the formation of a dense and Li3N-rich SEI film on the Li-metal surface, which could effectively prohibit the shuttle effect from a series of detrimental species in the Li–O2 cell during the discharge/charge process. Using PAMMA, well-protected Li-metal in a harsh O2 atmosphere and significantly enhanced cycling performance of the Li–O2 cell could be achieved. Thus, the use of a sacrificial polymer additive provides a promising strategy for the effective protection of Li-metal in Li–O2 cells in a severe O2 atmosphere during practical applications.

Graphical abstract: Protecting Li-metal in O2 atmosphere by a sacrificial polymer additive in Li–O2 batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
31 8 2023
Accepted
20 10 2023
First published
20 10 2023

Nanoscale, 2023,15, 17751-17757

Protecting Li-metal in O2 atmosphere by a sacrificial polymer additive in Li–O2 batteries

X. Wu, B. Niu, Y. Tang, H. Luo, Z. Li, X. Yu, X. Wang, C. Jiang, Y. Qiao and S. Sun, Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 17751 DOI: 10.1039/D3NR04371A

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