Li-air batteries having ether-based electrolytes
A lithium-air battery includes a cathode including a porous active carbon material, a separator, an anode including lithium, and an electrolyte including a lithium salt and polyalkylene glycol ether, where the porous active carbon material is free of a metal-based catalyst.
1. A discharged lithium-air battery comprising a cathode comprising a porous active carbon material, a separator, an anode comprising lithium, an electrolyte, and a lithium peroxide exhibiting a nanostructured morphology and having a superoxide surface structure.
2. The discharged lithium-air battery of claim 1 , wherein the porous active carbon material is free of a metal-based catalyst.
3. The discharged lithium-air battery of claim 1 , wherein the lithium peroxide exhibiting a nanostructured morphology comprises nanoparticles having an average diameter of from 1 to 200 nm.
4. The discharged lithium-air battery of claim 1 , wherein the lithium peroxide exhibiting a nanostructured morphology comprises nanoparticles having an average diameter of from 1 to 100 nm.
5. The discharged lithium-air battery of claim 1 , wherein the lithium peroxide exhibiting a nanostructured morphology comprises nanoparticles having an average diameter of from 1 to 70 nm.
6. The discharged lithium-air battery of claim 1 , wherein the lithium peroxide having a superoxide surface structure comprises lithium peroxide comprising an oxygen-rich surface.
7. The discharged lithium-air battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte comprises an ether-based solvent and a lithium salt.
8. The discharged lithium-air battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte further comprises a compound that favors lithium peroxide superoxide formation.
9. The discharged lithium-air battery of claim 8 , wherein the compound that favors lithium peroxide superoxide formation comprises 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, 18-crown-6, dibenzo-18-crown-6, diaza-18-crown-6, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, fluorinated ethylene carbonate, vinylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, vinyl acetate, ethylene sulfite, propylene sulfite, dimethyl sulfite, diethyl sulfite, bromo-γ-butyrolactone, and fluoro γ-butyrolactone, biphenyl, cyclohexyl benzene, or a mixture of any two or more such additives.