Research progress on designing stable and reversible cathodes catalysts for lithium-air batteries

Abstract

Lithium-air batteries(LABs) are among the most promising electrochemical energy storage technologies in the future due to extremely high theoretical energy density. The performance of LABs is mainly governed by the electrochemical reactions that occur on the surface of the cathode. Therefore, the rational design of a cathode with high stability and reversibility is the key to commercially viable LABs. However, the side reactions are caused by the instability of traditional carbon-based electrodes can limit capacity and cycle performance of LABs, therefore, alternative carbon-based electrode materials are required. Based on the structure and the principle of cathode reaction of LABs, the current challenges of LABs were presented. Then based on the analysis of the instability of carbon-based cathode, the design of a stable and reversible cathode for LABs was summarized. Finally, a perspective that the rational design of the cathode catalyst and the in-depth understanding of the catalytic mechanism play a decisive role in the performance improvement of LABS was provided.

Keywords

• lithium-air battery
• cathode catalyst
• chemical stability
• reversibility
• surface modification of carbon
• carbon-free cathode