21
Ion Solvation Effects in the Nonaqueous Li-O2 Electrochemistry

Tuesday, 21 June 2016: 09:35
Grand Ballroom (Hyatt Regency)
B. D. McCloskey (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
Multiple directions in battery research are now being pursued in hopes of advancing beyond the specific energy limits imposed by conventional Li-ion electrode materials.  For example, ‘beyond Li-ion’ battery chemistries, such as Li-O2, Li-S, and Mg-ion, are currently being explored as potential successors to Li-ion batteries given their very high theoretical specific energies; yet severe technical challenges have prohibited them from becoming a practical reality.  The objective of this presentation is to provide an assessment of such challenges, in particular, instabilities of the electrolyte and cathode, and Li2O2 electronic conductivity limitations, facing the nonaqueous Li-O2 battery cathode. Results will be presented on the characterization of the Li2O2 formation mechanism and how the mechanism can be manipulated through electrolyte engineering to potentially alleviate problems associated with Li2O2 deposition on the cathode.