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The Keggin-type polyoxometalate α-SiW12O404− increases the discharge capacity and potential of lithium–oxygen batteries, by facilitating the reduction of O2 to Li2O2, as confirmed by in situ electrochemical pressure measurements and XRD. Compared to organic redox mediators, polyoxometalates have higher chemical and structural stability, which could lead to longer cycling lithium–oxygen batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-aqueous Li-O2 batteries are promising for next-generation energy storage. New battery chemistries based on LiOH, rather than Li2O2, have been recently reported in systems with added water, one using a soluble additive LiI and the other using solid Ru catalysts. Here, the focus is on the mechanism of Ru-catalyzed LiOH chemistry. Using nuclear magnetic resonance, operando electrochemical pressure measurements, and mass spectrometry, it is shown that on discharging LiOH forms via a 4 e− oxygen reduction reaction, the H in LiOH coming solely from added H2O and the O from both O2 and H2O. On charging, quantitative LiOH oxidation occurs at 3.1 V, with O being trapped in a form of dimethyl sulfone in the electrolyte. Compared to Li2O2, LiOH formation over Ru incurs few side reactions, a critical advantage for developing a long-lived battery. An optimized metal-catalyst-electrolyte couple needs to be sought that aids LiOH oxidation and is stable towards attack by hydroxyl radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new route to enhance the performance of Na–O2 cells is demonstrated. Redox mediators (such as ethyl viologen) are shown to facilitate the discharge reaction, producing an increased capacity (due to suppressed electrode passivation), higher discharge potential (due to faster kinetics) and stable cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase changes that occur during lithium extraction from LiCoPO4 in lithium half-cells were studied using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The existence of two two-phase regions with an intermediate phase present was observed. Significant variations in the composition of the phases of nominal stoichiometry LiCoPO4, Li2/3CoPO4 and CoPO4 resulted in unit cell volume variations. On current pulsing, lattice parameter shifts and phase recovery were directly observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parasitic reactions associated with reduced oxygen species and the difficulty in achieving the high theoretical capacity have been major issues plaguing development of practical nonaqueous Li-O 2 batteries. We hereby address the above issues by exploring the synergistic effect of 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone and H 2 O on the oxygen chemistry in a nonaqueous Li-O 2 battery. Water stabilizes the quinone monoanion and dianion, shifting the reduction potentials of the quinone and monoanion to more positive values (vs Li/Li + ). When water and the quinone are used together in a (largely) nonaqueous Li-O 2 battery, the cell discharge operates via a two-electron oxygen reduction reaction to form Li 2 O 2 , with the battery discharge voltage, rate, and capacity all being considerably increased and fewer side reactions being detected. Li 2 O 2 crystals can grow up to 30 μm, more than an order of magnitude larger than cases with the quinone alone or without any additives, suggesting that water is essential to promoting a solution dominated process with the quinone on discharging. The catalytic reduction of O 2 by the quinone monoanion is predominantly responsible for the attractive features mentioned above. Water stabilizes the quinone monoanion via hydrogen-bond formation and by coordination of the Li + ions, and it also helps increase the solvation, concentration, lifetime, and diffusion length of reduced oxygen species that dictate the discharge voltage, rate, and capacity of the battery. When a redox mediator is also used to aid the charging process, a high-power, high energy density, rechargeable Li-O 2 battery is obtained.

Non-aqueous Li-O 2 batteries are promising for next-generation energy storage. New battery chemistries based on LiOH, rather than Li 2 O 2 , have been recently reported in systems with added water, one using a soluble additive LiI and the other using solid Ru catalysts. Here, the focus is on the mechanism of Ru-catalyzed LiOH chemistry. Using nuclear magnetic resonance, operando electrochemical pressure measurements, and mass spectrometry, it is shown that on discharging LiOH forms via a 4 e - oxygen reduction reaction, the H in LiOH coming solely from added H 2 O and the O from both O 2 and H 2 O. On charging, quantitative LiOH oxidation occurs at 3.1 V, with O being trapped in a form of dimethyl sulfone in the electrolyte. Compared to Li 2 O 2 , LiOH formation over Ru incurs few side reactions, a critical advantage for developing a long-lived battery. An optimized metal-catalyst-electrolyte couple needs to be sought that aids LiOH oxidation and is stable towards attack by hydroxyl radicals., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A new route to enhance the performance of Na-O 2 cells is demonstrated. Redox mediators (such as ethyl viologen) are shown to facilitate the discharge reaction, producing an increased capacity (due to suppressed electrode passivation), higher discharge potential (due to faster kinetics) and stable cycling.

The phase changes that occur during lithium extraction from LiCoPO 4 in lithium half-cells were studied using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The existence of two two-phase regions with an intermediate phase present was observed. Significant variations in the composition of the phases of nominal stoichiometry LiCoPO 4 , Li 2/3 CoPO 4 and CoPO 4 resulted in unit cell volume variations. On current pulsing, lattice parameter shifts and phase recovery were directly observed.