title: Importance of Reaction Kinetics and Oxygen Crossover in aprotic Li-O2 Batteries Based on a Dimethyl Sulfoxide Electrolyte.
abstract: Although still in their embryonic state, aprotic rechargeable Li-O2 batteries have, theoretically, the capabilities of reaching higher specific energy densities than Li-ion batteries. There are, however, significant drawbacks that must be addressed to allow stable electrochemical performance; these will ultimately be solved by a deeper understanding of the chemical and electrochemical processes occurring during battery operations. We report a study on the electrochemical and chemical stability of Li-O2 batteries comprising Au-coated carbon cathodes, a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-based electrolyte and Li metal negative electrodes. The use of the aforementioned Au-coated cathodes in combination with a 1 M lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI)-DMSO electrolyte guarantees very good cycling stability (>300 cycles) by minimizing eventual side reactions. The main drawbacks arise from the high reactivity of the Li metal electrode when in contact with the O2 -saturated DMSO-based electrolyte.
authors.affiliation: ZSW, Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, Helmholtzstr. 8, 89081 Ulm (Germany). mario.marinaro@zsw-bw.de.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marinaro
authors.affiliation: ZSW, Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, Helmholtzstr. 8, 89081 Ulm (Germany).
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balasubramanian
authors.affiliation: ZSW, Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, Helmholtzstr. 8, 89081 Ulm (Germany).
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gucciardi
authors.affiliation: ZSW, Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, Helmholtzstr. 8, 89081 Ulm (Germany).
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Theil
authors.affiliation: ZSW, Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, Helmholtzstr. 8, 89081 Ulm (Germany).
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jörissen
authors.affiliation: ZSW, Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, Helmholtzstr. 8, 89081 Ulm (Germany).
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wohlfahrt-Mehrens
keywords: anodes; batteries; coating; dimethyl sulfoxide; oxygen reduction reaction