Issue 8, 2015

A review of cathode materials and structures for rechargeable lithium–air batteries

Abstract

Rechargeable lithium air (Li–air) batteries, especially the non-aqueous type, are considered the most promising energy storage and conversion device candidates for use in future electric vehicle applications due to their ultrahigh energy density. The air cathode has been identified as a key factor affecting the overall performance of Li–air batteries. The current low level performance of air cathodes is the major challenge hindering commercial applications of Li–air batteries. In the past decade, a great many cathode materials, structures and fabrication processes have been developed and investigated with the goal of enhancing cathode performance. This paper reviews, the role of the cathode in non-aqueous Li–air batteries including the cathode reaction mechanisms and the properties and morphologies of cathode materials, followed by approaches to optimize cathode performance. The most recently published global progress and the main achievements in the field of Li–air batteries are also systematically and critically reviewed in terms of cathode materials, structures and fabrication processes, with the objective of providing some state-of-the-art information. Technical challenges are analyzed, and insights into future research directions for overcoming these development challenges of rechargeable non-aqueous Li–air battery cathodes are also identified in this review paper.

Graphical abstract: A review of cathode materials and structures for rechargeable lithium–air batteries

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
13 mar 2015
Accepted
04 jún 2015
First published
04 jún 2015

Energy Environ. Sci., 2015,8, 2144-2198

Author version available

A review of cathode materials and structures for rechargeable lithium–air batteries

Z. Ma, X. Yuan, L. Li, Z. Ma, D. P. Wilkinson, L. Zhang and J. Zhang, Energy Environ. Sci., 2015, 8, 2144 DOI: 10.1039/C5EE00838G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements