title: A nanostructured cathode architecture for low charge overpotential in lithium-oxygen batteries.
abstract: The lithium-oxygen battery, of much interest because of its very high-energy density, presents many challenges, one of which is a high-charge overpotential that results in large inefficiencies. Here we report a cathode architecture based on nanoscale components that results in a dramatic reduction in charge overpotential to ~0.2 V. The cathode utilizes atomic layer deposition of palladium nanoparticles on a carbon surface with an alumina coating for passivation of carbon defect sites. The low charge potential is enabled by the combination of palladium nanoparticles attached to the carbon cathode surface, a nanocrystalline form of lithium peroxide with grain boundaries, and the alumina coating preventing electrolyte decomposition on carbon. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy provides evidence for the nanocrystalline form of lithium peroxide. The new cathode material architecture provides the basis for future development of lithium-oxygen cathode materials that can be used to improve the efficiency and to extend cycle life.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Science and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Kah Chun
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Xiangyi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Jianguo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Rajeev S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Assary
authors.forename: Ujjal
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Dean J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Jeffrey W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Elam
authors.forename: Hassan M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Albishri
authors.forename: D Abd
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: El-Hady
authors.forename: Yang-Kook
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Larry A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Curtiss
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amine