1
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Horwitz G, Kunz V, Niblett SP, Grey CP. The effect of ionic association on the electrochemistry of redox mediators for Li-O 2 batteries: developing a theoretical framework. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:22134-22148. [PMID: 39119661 PMCID: PMC11310830 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp01488j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
A theoretical framework to explain how interactions between redox mediators (RMs) and electrolyte components impact electron transfer kinetics, thermodynamics, and catalytic efficiency is presented. Specifically focusing on ionic association, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DBBQ) is used as a case study to demonstrate these effects. Our analytical equations reveal how the observed redox couple's potential and electron transfer rate constants evolve with Li+ concentration, resulting from different redox activity mechanisms. Experimental validation by cyclic voltammetry measurements shows that DBBQ binds to three Li+ ions in its reduced state and one Li+ ion in its neutral form, leading to a maximum in the electron transfer kinetic constant at around 0.25 M. The framework is extended to account for other phenomena that can play an important role in the redox reaction mechanisms of RMs. The effect of Li+ ion solvation and its association with the supporting salt counteranion on the redox processes is considered, and the role of "free Li+" concentration in determining the electrochemical behaviour is emphasized. The impact of Li+ concentration on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysis was then explored, again using DBBQ and modelling the effects of the Li+ concentration on electron transfer and catalytic kinetics. We show that even though the observed catalytic rate constant increases with Li+ concentration, the overall catalysis can become more sluggish depending on the electron transfer pathway. Cyclic voltammograms are presented as illustrative examples. The strength of the proposed theoretical framework lies in its adaptability to a wider range of redox mediators and their interactions with the various electrolyte components and redox active molecules such as oxygen. By understanding these effects, we open up new avenues to tune electron transfer and catalytic kinetics and thus improve the energy efficiency and rate capability of Li-O2 batteries. Although exact results may not transfer to different solvents, the predictions of our model will provide a starting point for future studies of similar systems, and the model itself is easily extensible to new chemistries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Horwitz
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Quad One, Harwell Campus, Becquerel Ave, Didcot OX11 0RA, UK
| | - Vera Kunz
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Samuel P Niblett
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Clare P Grey
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Quad One, Harwell Campus, Becquerel Ave, Didcot OX11 0RA, UK
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2
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Parmar M, Mukhopadhyay S, Mondal R, Nayak B, Dargily NC, Nimbegondi Kotresh HM, Vinod CP, Ottakam Thotiyl M. Synergistic effects of the substrate-ligand interaction in metal-organic complexes on the de-electronation kinetics of a vitamin C fuel cell. Dalton Trans 2024. [PMID: 39072534 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt01370k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The rising demand for portable energy conversion devices has spurred the advancement of direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) employing fuels such as alcohol, ammonia, hydrazine, and vitamin C. In these devices, various precious metal platforms have been explored to increase the de-electronation kinetics and reduce catalyst poisoning, but with substantial cost implications. We demonstrate the crucial role of ligands in non-precious organometallic complexes in influencing the de-electronation kinetics of fuel molecules through a unique substrate-ligand synergistic interaction. This unique chemistry imparts electron deficiency at the catalytic metal center while simultaneously populating the ligand with an extensive proton charge assembly. This distinct substrate-ligand interaction enhances the DLFC performance by coulombically dragging the substrate with a distinct amplification in its de-electronation kinetics. By integrating this approach with a ferricyanide/ferrocyanide half-cell reaction, a precious metal-free vitamin C fuel cell is developed, which is capable of generating an open circuit voltage of ∼950 mV, a peak power density of ∼97 mW cm-2 at a peak current density of ∼215 mA cm-2 with the performance metrics nearly 1.7 times higher than a precious metal based DLFC. This highlights the potential of the substrate-ligand synergy in the design of efficient molecular catalysts for energy conversion applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muskan Parmar
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
| | - Sanchayita Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
| | - Ritwik Mondal
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
| | - Bhojkumar Nayak
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
| | - Neethu Christudas Dargily
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
| | | | | | - Musthafa Ottakam Thotiyl
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
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3
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Jethwa RB, Mondal S, Pant B, Freunberger SA. To DISP or Not? The Far-Reaching Reaction Mechanisms Underpinning Lithium-Air Batteries. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202316476. [PMID: 38095355 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The short history of research on Li-O2 batteries has seen a remarkable number of mechanistic U-turns over the years. From the initial use of carbonate electrolytes, that were then found to be entirely unsuitable, to the belief that (su)peroxide was solely responsible for degradation, before the more reactive singlet oxygen was found to form, to the hypothesis that capacity depends on a competing surface/solution mechanism before a practically exclusive solution mechanism was identified. Herein, we argue for an ever-fresh look at the reported data without bias towards supposedly established explanations. We explain how the latest findings on rate and capacity limits, as well as the origin of side reactions, are connected via the disproportionation (DISP) step in the (dis)charge mechanism. Therefrom, directions emerge for the design of electrolytes and mediators on how to suppress side reactions and to enable high rate and high reversible capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh B Jethwa
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Soumyadip Mondal
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Bhargavi Pant
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Stefan A Freunberger
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400, Klosterneuburg, Austria
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4
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Liu Y, Li Z, Gao Y, Wang C, Wang X, Wang X, Xue X, Wang K, Cui W, Gao F, He S, Wu Z, Qi F, Gan J, Wang Y, Zheng W, Yang Y, Chen J, Pan H. Recent Advances in Understanding of the Singlet Oxygen in Energy Storage and Conversion. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2311500. [PMID: 38372501 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Singlet oxygen (term symbol 1Δg, hereafter 1O2), a reactive oxygen species, has recently attracted increasing interest in the field of rechargeable batteries and electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. These sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies are of vital significance to replace fossil fuels and promote carbon neutrality and finally tackle the energy crisis and climate change. Herein, the recent progresses of 1O2 for energy storage and conversion is summarized, including physical and chemical properties, formation mechanisms, detection technologies, side reactions in rechargeable batteries and corresponding inhibition strategies, and applications in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. The formation mechanisms and inhibition strategies of 1O2 in particular aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries are highlighted, and the applications of 1O2 in photocatalysis and electrocatalysis is also emphasized. Moreover, the confronting challenges and promising directions of 1O2 in energy conversion and storage systems are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Liu
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Zhenglong Li
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Yong Gao
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Chenxing Wang
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Xinqiang Wang
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Xu Xue
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Ke Wang
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Wengang Cui
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Fan Gao
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Shengnan He
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Zhijun Wu
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Fulai Qi
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Jiantuo Gan
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Yujing Wang
- School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Wenjun Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (MOE), TKL of Metal and Molecule-based Material Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yaxiong Yang
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Jian Chen
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
| | - Hongge Pan
- Institute of Science and Technology for New Energy, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
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5
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Wu J, Li M, Gao S, Dou Y, Pan K, Zhang Z, Zhou Z. Electrospinning-assisted porous skeleton electrolytes for semi-solid Li-O 2 batteries. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:5070-5073. [PMID: 38639031 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc00805g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Solid-state lithium-oxygen batteries offer great promise in meeting the practical demand for high-energy-density and safe energy storage. We have developed fibrous gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) using a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix via electrospinning. The 3D structure of GPEs enhances electrolyte absorption, while the interconnected design promotes strong interactions between Li+ and polar groups within the PAN matrix, thereby improving ion transport efficiency. In practical tests, both lithium symmetric cells and Li-O2 batteries demonstrated the ability to operate at high current densities over long cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (IRC4SE2), School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Minghui Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (IRC4SE2), School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Shasha Gao
- Key Laboratory of Microelectronics and Energy of Henan Province, Department of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Yaying Dou
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (IRC4SE2), School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Kecheng Pan
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (IRC4SE2), School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Zhang Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (IRC4SE2), School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (IRC4SE2), School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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6
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Mishra A, Zorigt M, Kim DO, Rodríguez-López J. Voltammetric Detection of Singlet Oxygen Enabled by Nanogap Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8847-8851. [PMID: 38511940 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Despite the significance of singlet oxygen (1O2) in several biological, chemical, and energy storage systems, its voltammetric reduction at an electrode remains unreported. We address this issue using nanogap scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) in substrate-generation/tip-collection mode. Our investigation reveals a reductive process on the SECM tip at -1.0 V (vs Fc+/Fc) during the breakdown of the Li2CO3 substrate in deuterated acetonitrile. Notably, this value is approximately 0.9 V more positive than the reduction potential of triplet oxygen (3O2), consistent with thermodynamic estimates for the energy of the formation of 1O2. This finding holds significant implications for understanding the reaction mechanisms involving 1O2 in nonaqueous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhiroop Mishra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Michelle Zorigt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Dong Ok Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Joaquín Rodríguez-López
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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7
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Mondal S, Jethwa RB, Pant B, Hauschild R, Freunberger SA. Singlet oxygen formation in non-aqueous oxygen redox chemistry: direct spectroscopic evidence for formation pathways and reliability of chemical probes. Faraday Discuss 2024; 248:175-189. [PMID: 37750344 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00088e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Singlet oxygen (1O2) formation is now recognised as a key aspect of non-aqueous oxygen redox chemistry. For identifying 1O2, chemical trapping via 9,10-dimethylanthracene (DMA) to form the endoperoxide (DMA-O2) has become the main method due to its sensitivity, selectivity, and ease of use. While DMA has been shown to be selective for 1O2, rather than forming DMA-O2 with a wide variety of potentially reactive O-containing species, false positives might hypothetically be obtained in the presence of previously overlooked species. Here, we first provide unequivocal direct spectroscopic proof via the 1O2-specific near-infrared (NIR) emission at 1270 nm for the previously proposed 1O2 formation pathways, which centre around superoxide disproportionation. We then show that peroxocarbonates, common intermediates in metal-O2 and metal carbonate electrochemistry, do not produce false-positive DMA-O2. Moreover, we identify a previously unreported 1O2-forming pathway through the reaction of CO2 with superoxide. Overall, we provide unequivocal proof for 1O2 formation in non-aqueous oxygen redox chemistry and show that chemical trapping with DMA is a reliable method to assess 1O2 formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumyadip Mondal
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
| | - Rajesh B Jethwa
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
| | - Bhargavi Pant
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
| | - Robert Hauschild
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
| | - Stefan A Freunberger
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
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8
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Hardwick LJ. Concluding remarks: a summary of the Faraday Discussion on rechargeable non-aqueous metal-oxygen batteries. Faraday Discuss 2024; 248:412-422. [PMID: 38168952 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00170a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The Faraday Discussion on rechargeable non-aqueous metal-oxygen batteries is summarised. The remarks paper highlights the specific science contributions made in the vital areas of oxygen reduction and evolution reaction mechanisms in non-aqueous electrolytes; material developments for stable metal-oxygen battery cathodes; achieving stable metal anodes and protected interfaces; and, finally, contributions concerning the progress towards practical metal-oxygen batteries. Key conclusions associated with these papers will be highlighted in an order such that readers can identify papers that they would like to explore in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence J Hardwick
- Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Peach Street, L69 7ZF Liverpool, UK.
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9
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Córdoba D, Benavides LN, Murgida DH, Rodríguez HB, Calvo EJ. Operando detection and suppression of spurious singlet oxygen in Li-O 2 batteries. Faraday Discuss 2024; 248:190-209. [PMID: 37800181 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00081h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The rechargeable lithium air (oxygen) battery (Li-O2) has very high energy density, comparable to that of fossil fuels (∼3600 W h kg-1). However, the parasitic reactions of the O2 reduction products with solvent and electrolyte lead to capacity fading and poor cyclability. During the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in aprotic solvents, the superoxide radical anion (O2˙-) is the main one-electron reaction product, which in the presence of Li+ ions undergoes disproportionation to yield Li2O2 and O2, a fraction of which results in singlet oxygen (1O2). The very reactive 1O2 is responsible for the spurious reactions that lead to high charging overpotential and short cycle life due to solvent and electrolyte degradation. Several techniques have been used for the detection and suppression of 1O2 inside a Li-O2 battery under operation and to test the efficiency and electrochemical stability of different physical quenchers of 1O2: azide anions, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) and triphenylamine (TPA) in different solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), diglyme and tetraglyme). Operando detection of 1O2 inside the battery was accomplished by following dimethylanthracene fluorescence quenching using a bifurcated optical fiber in front-face mode through a quartz window in the battery. Differential oxygen-pressure measurements during charge-discharge cycles vs. charge during battery operation showed that the number of electrons per oxygen molecule was n > 2 in the absence of physical quenchers of 1O2, due to spurious reactions, and n = 2 in the presence of physical quenchers of 1O2, proving the suppression of spurious reactions. Battery cycling at a limited specific capacity of 500 mA h gC-1 for the MWCNT cathode and 250 mA gC-1 current density, in the absence and presence of a physical quencher or a physical quencher plus the redox mediator I3-/I- (with a lithiated Nafion® membrane), showed increasing cyclability according to coulombic efficiency and cell voltage data over 100 cycles. Operando Raman studies with a quartz window at the bottom of the battery allowed detection of Li2O2 and excess I3- redox mediator during discharge and charge, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Córdoba
- INQUIMAE/DQIAyQF, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Leandro N Benavides
- INQUIMAE/DQIAyQF, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Daniel H Murgida
- INQUIMAE/DQIAyQF, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Hernan B Rodríguez
- INQUIMAE/DQIAyQF, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Ernesto J Calvo
- INQUIMAE/DQIAyQF, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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10
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Wang W, Tan C, He L, Yu F, Gao X, Chen Y. Determinants of the Surface Film during the Discharging Process in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:583-589. [PMID: 38198564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Lithium-oxygen batteries have one of the highest theoretical capacities and specific energies, but several challenges remain. One of them is premature death caused by a passivation layer with poor conductivities (both electronic and ionic) on the electrode surface during the discharge process. Once this thin layer forms on the surface of the catalyst and substrate, the overpotential significantly increases and causes early cell death. Therefore, understanding this thin layer is crucial to achieving high specific energy lithium-oxygen batteries. Herein, we quantitatively compared the ratio of lithium carbonate to lithium peroxide during the discharge process in a flow cell at different potentials. We found that the ratio rapidly increased at low potential and high flow rates. The surface route led to significant byproducts on the Au electrodes, and consequently, a 3 nm thick discharge product film passivates the electrode surface in a flow cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuan Tan
- Future Battery Research Center, Global Institute of Future Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu He
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengjiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangwen Gao
- Future Battery Research Center, Global Institute of Future Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, People's Republic of China
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11
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Jiang Z, Wen B, Huang Y, Guo Y, Wang Y, Li F. New Reaction Pathway of Superoxide Disproportionation Induced by a Soluble Catalyst in Li-O 2 Batteries. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202315314. [PMID: 38009311 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Aprotic Li-O2 battery has attracted considerable interest for high theoretical energy density, however the disproportionation of the intermediate of superoxide (O2 - ) during discharge and charge leads to slow reaction kinetics and large voltage hysteresis. Herein, the chemically stable ruthenium tris(bipyridine) (RB) cations are employed as a soluble catalyst to alternate the pathway of O2 - disproportionation and its kinetics in both the discharge and charge processes. RB captures O2 - dimer and promotes their intramolecular charge transfer, and it decreases the energy barrier of the disproportionation reaction from 7.70 to 0.70 kcal mol-1 . This facilitates the discharge and charge processes and simultaneously mitigates O2 - and singlet oxygen related side reactions. These endow the Li-O2 battery with reduced discharge/charge voltage gap of 0.72 V and prolonged lifespan for over 230 cycles when coupled with RuO2 catalyst. This work highlights the vital role of superoxide disproportionation for Li-O2 battery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoliang Jiang
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Bo Wen
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yaohui Huang
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yihe Guo
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yuzhe Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Fujun Li
- Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin, 300071, China
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12
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Petrongari A, Piacentini V, Pierini A, Fattibene P, De Angelis C, Bodo E, Brutti S. Insights into the LiI Redox Mediation in Aprotic Li-O 2 Batteries: Solvation Effects and Singlet Oxygen Evolution. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:59348-59357. [PMID: 38090803 PMCID: PMC10755701 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c12330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Lithium-oxygen aprotic batteries (aLOBs) are highly promising next-generation secondary batteries due to their high theoretical energy density. However, the practical implementation of these batteries is hindered by parasitic reactions that negatively impact their reversibility and cycle life. One of the challenges lies in the oxidation of Li2O2, which requires large overpotentials if not catalyzed. To address this issue, redox mediators (RMs) have been proposed to reduce the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) overpotentials. In this study, we focus on a lithium iodide RM and investigate its role on the degradation chemistry and the release of singlet oxygen in aLOBs, in different solvent environments. Specifically, we compare the impact of a polar solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and a low polarity solvent, tetraglyme (G4). We demonstrate a strong interplay between solvation, degradation, and redox mediation in OER by LiI in aLOBs. The results show that LiI in DMSO-based electrolytes leads to extensive degradation and to 1O2 release, affecting the cell performance, while in G4-based electrolytes, the release of 1O2 appears to be suppressed, resulting in better cyclability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Petrongari
- Department
of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Vanessa Piacentini
- Department
of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Adriano Pierini
- Department
of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Paola Fattibene
- Core
Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Cinzia De Angelis
- Core
Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Enrico Bodo
- Department
of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Sergio Brutti
- Department
of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
- CNR-ISC,
Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Istituto
Dei Sistemi Complessi, Rome 00185, Italy
- GISEL
- Centro di Riferimento Nazionale per i Sistemi di Accumulo Elettrochimico
di Energia, Florence 50121, Italy
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13
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Pierini A, Petrongari A, Piacentini V, Brutti S, Bodo E. A Computational Study on Halogen/Halide Redox Mediators and Their Role in 1O 2 Release in Aprotic Li-O 2 Batteries. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:9229-9235. [PMID: 37885210 PMCID: PMC10641837 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c05246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
We present a computational study on the redox reactions of small clusters of Li superoxide and peroxide in the presence of halogen/halide redox mediators. The study is based on DFT calculations with a double hybrid functional and an implicit solvent model. It shows that iodine is less effective than bromine in the oxidation of Li2O2 to oxygen. On the basis of our thermodynamic data, in solvents with a low dielectric constant, iodine does not spontaneously promote either the oxidation of Li2O2 or the release of singlet oxygen, while bromine could spontaneously trigger both events. When a solvent with a large dielectric constant is used, both halogens appear to be able, at least on the basis of thermodynamics, to react spontaneously with the oxides, and the ensuing reaction sequence turned out to be strongly exoergic, thereby providing a route for the release of significant amounts of singlet oxygen. The role of spin-orbit coupling in providing a mechanism for singlet-triplet intersystem crossing has also been assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Pierini
- Chemistry
Department, University of Rome “La
Sapienza”, P. A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Angelica Petrongari
- Chemistry
Department, University of Rome “La
Sapienza”, P. A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Vanessa Piacentini
- Chemistry
Department, University of Rome “La
Sapienza”, P. A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Brutti
- Chemistry
Department, University of Rome “La
Sapienza”, P. A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Bodo
- Chemistry
Department, University of Rome “La
Sapienza”, P. A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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14
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Fasulo F, Massaro A, Muñoz-García AB, Pavone M. New Insights on Singlet Oxygen Release from Li-Air Battery Cathode: Periodic DFT Versus CASPT2 Embedded Cluster Calculations. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:5210-5220. [PMID: 37433035 PMCID: PMC10413853 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Li-air batteries are a promising energy storage technology for large-scale applications, but the release of highly reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) during battery operation represents a main concern that sensibly limits their effective deployment. An in-depth understanding of the reaction mechanisms underlying the 1O2 formation is crucial to prevent its detrimental reactions with the electrolyte species. However, describing the elusive chemistry of highly correlated species such as singlet oxygen represents a challenging task for state-of-the-art theoretical tools based on density functional theory. Thus, in this study, we apply an embedded cluster approach, based on CASPT2 and effective point charges, to address the evolution of 1O2 at the Li2O2 surface during oxidation, i.e., the battery charging process. Based on recent hypothesis, we depict a feasible O22-/O2-/O2 mechanisms occurring from the (112̅0)-Li2O2 surface termination. Our highly accurate calculations allow for the identification of a stable superoxide as local minimum along the potential energy surface (PES) for 1O2 release, which is not detected by periodic DFT. We find that 1O2 release proceeds via a superoxide intermediate in a two-step one-electron process or another still accessible pathway featuring a one-step two-electron mechanism. In both cases, it represents a feasible product of Li2O2 oxidation upon battery charging. Thus, tuning the relative stability of the intermediate superoxide species can enable key strategies aiming at controlling the detrimental development of 1O2 for new and highly performing Li-air batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fasulo
- Department
of Physics “E. Pancini”, University
of Naples Federico II, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Arianna Massaro
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Ana B. Muñoz-García
- Department
of Physics “E. Pancini”, University
of Naples Federico II, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
- National
Reference Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage (GISEL)-INSTM, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Michele Pavone
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
- National
Reference Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage (GISEL)-INSTM, 50121 Florence, Italy
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15
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Mukhopadhyay S, Kottaichamy AR, Chame PV, Ghosh P, Vinod CP, Makri Nimbegondi Kotresh H, Kanade SC, Thotiyl MO. Unusual Ligand Assistance in Molecular Electrocatalysis via Interfacial Proton Charge Assembly. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:5377-5385. [PMID: 37278536 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We show that the ability of the ligand to reorganize the electric double layer (EDL) often dominates the electrocatalysis contrary to their inductive effect in the spectrochemical series, leading to counterintuitive electrocatalysis. With water oxidation and chlorine evolution as the probe reactions, the same catalytic entity with carboxy functionalized ligand exhibited surprisingly higher electrochemical activity in comparison to the aggressively electron-withdrawing nitro functionalized ligands, which is contrary to their actual location in the spectrochemical series. Spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses suggest the enrichment of catalytically active species in the carboxy substituted ligand via proton charge assembly in the EDL that in turn enhances the kinetics of the overall electrochemical process. This demonstration of less obvious ligands becoming indispensable in electrocatalysis suggests a blind designing of ligands solely based on their inductive effect should be reconsidered as it will prevent the utilization of the maximum potential of the molecule in electrocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchayita Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
| | - Alagar Raja Kottaichamy
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
| | - Pallavi Vyankuram Chame
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
| | - Prasenjit Ghosh
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Pune 411008, India
| | | | | | - Sandeep C Kanade
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
| | - Musthafa Ottakam Thotiyl
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Energy Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India
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16
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Ahn S, Zor C, Yang S, Lagnoni M, Dewar D, Nimmo T, Chau C, Jenkins M, Kibler AJ, Pateman A, Rees GJ, Gao X, Adamson P, Grobert N, Bertei A, Johnson LR, Bruce PG. Why charging Li-air batteries with current low-voltage mediators is slow and singlet oxygen does not explain degradation. Nat Chem 2023:10.1038/s41557-023-01203-3. [PMID: 37264102 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01203-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Although Li-air rechargeable batteries offer higher energy densities than lithium-ion batteries, the insulating Li2O2 formed during discharge hinders rapid, efficient re-charging. Redox mediators are used to facilitate Li2O2 oxidation; however, fast kinetics at a low charging voltage are necessary for practical applications and are yet to be achieved. We investigate the mechanism of Li2O2 oxidation by redox mediators. The rate-limiting step is the outer-sphere one-electron oxidation of Li2O2 to LiO2, which follows Marcus theory. The second step is dominated by LiO2 disproportionation, forming mostly triplet-state O2. The yield of singlet-state O2 depends on the redox potential of the mediator in a way that does not correlate with electrolyte degradation, in contrast to earlier views. Our mechanistic understanding explains why current low-voltage mediators (<+3.3 V) fail to deliver high rates (the maximum rate is at +3.74 V) and suggests important mediator design strategies to deliver sufficiently high rates for fast charging at potentials closer to the thermodynamic potential of Li2O2 oxidation (+2.96 V).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunyhik Ahn
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ceren Zor
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sixie Yang
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Marco Lagnoni
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniel Dewar
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tammy Nimmo
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chloe Chau
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Max Jenkins
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexander J Kibler
- Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Gregory J Rees
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Xiangwen Gao
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Adamson
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicole Grobert
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Antonio Bertei
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lee R Johnson
- Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces Group, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Peter G Bruce
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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17
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Prehal C, Mondal S, Lovicar L, Freunberger SA. Exclusive Solution Discharge in Li-O 2 Batteries? ACS ENERGY LETTERS 2022; 7:3112-3119. [PMID: 36120663 PMCID: PMC9469202 DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.2c01711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Capacity, rate performance, and cycle life of aprotic Li-O2 batteries critically depend on reversible electrodeposition of Li2O2. Current understanding states surface-adsorbed versus solvated LiO2 controls Li2O2 growth as surface film or as large particles. Herein, we show that Li2O2 forms across a wide range of electrolytes, carbons, and current densities as particles via solution-mediated LiO2 disproportionation, bringing into question the prevalence of any surface growth under practical conditions. We describe a unified O2 reduction mechanism, which can explain all found capacity relations and Li2O2 morphologies with exclusive solution discharge. Determining particle morphology and achievable capacities are species mobilities, true areal rate, and the degree of LiO2 association in solution. Capacity is conclusively limited by mass transport through the tortuous Li2O2 rather than electron transport through a passivating Li2O2 film. Provided that species mobilities and surface growth are high, high capacities are also achieved with weakly solvating electrolytes, which were previously considered prototypical for low capacity via surface growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Prehal
- Department
of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Soumyadip Mondal
- Institute
of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Ludek Lovicar
- Institute
of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Stefan A. Freunberger
- Institute
of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
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18
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Abstract
Aprotic Li-O2 batteries are a promising energy storage technology, however severe side reactions during cycles lead to their poor rechargeability. Herein, highly reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) is revealed to generate in both the discharging and charging processes and is deterimental to battery stability. Electron-rich triphenylamine (TPA) is demonstrated as an effective quencher in the electrolyte to mitigate 1O2 and its associated parasitic reactions, which has the tertiary amine and phenyl groups to manifest excellent electrochemical stability and chemical reversibility. It reacts with electrophilic 1O2 to form a singlet complex during cycles, and it then quickly transforms to a triplet complex through nonradiative intersystem crossing (ISC). This efficiently accelerates the conversion of 1O2 to the ground-state triplet oxygen to eliminate its derived side reactions, and the regeneration of TPA. These enable the Li-O2 battery with obviously reduced overvoltages and prolonged lifetime for over 310 cycles when coupled with a RuO2 catalyst. This work highlights the ISC mechanism to quench 1O2 in Li-O2 battery.
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19
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Oxidative decomposition mechanisms of lithium carbonate on carbon substrates in lithium battery chemistries. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4908. [PMID: 35987749 PMCID: PMC9392741 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32557-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lithium carbonate plays a critical role in both lithium-carbon dioxide and lithium-air batteries as the main discharge product and a product of side reactions, respectively. Understanding the decomposition of lithium carbonate during electrochemical oxidation (during battery charging) is key for improving both chemistries, but the decomposition mechanisms and the role of the carbon substrate remain under debate. Here, we use an in-situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry-gas chromatography coupling system to quantify the gas evolution during the electrochemical oxidation of lithium carbonate on carbon substrates. Our results show that lithium carbonate decomposes to carbon dioxide and singlet oxygen mainly via an electrochemical process instead of via a chemical process in an electrolyte of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in tetraglyme. Singlet oxygen attacks the carbon substrate and electrolyte to form both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide—approximately 20% of the net gas evolved originates from these side reactions. Additionally, we show that cobalt(II,III) oxide, a typical oxygen evolution catalyst, stabilizes the precursor of singlet oxygen, thus inhibiting the formation of singlet oxygen and consequent side reactions. Lithium carbonate is ubiquitous in lithium battery chemistries and leads to overpotentials, however its oxidative decomposition is unclear. Here, the authors study its decomposition in ether electrolyte, clarify the role of the carbon substrate, and propose a route to limit released singlet oxygen.
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20
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Yoon H, Shin S, Park S, Shin MW. Low-viscosity quaternary ammonium-based ionic liquid electrolytes for lithium air batteries. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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21
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He L, Huang J, Chen Y. First-Order or Second-Order? Disproportionation of Lithium Superoxide in Li-O 2 Batteries. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:2033-2038. [PMID: 35199531 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The disproportionation of LiO2 to Li2O2 is a key step in Li-O2 batteries, and it is regarded as a second-order reaction. However, its mechanism is not well addressed, and its kinetics is rarely studied due to the difficulties of quantifying the rate constants, particularly for high concentrations of superoxide (>10 mM). Here, we quantified the kinetic rate constant by a microkinetic model using a microelectrode tip with a thin diffusion layer and fast response. We report that the reaction order of LiO2 transitions from 1 at high concentrations of superoxide (∼20 mM) to 2 at low concentrations of superoxide (∼1 mM). LiO2 is chemically reduced by free superoxides to form Li2O2 and O2, instead of reacting with another LiO2 via a disproportionation step. This chemical-reduction mechanism explained the change of reaction order and the kinetics profile. As a rate-determining step, this step restricts the overall kinetics of the discharging process and should be the focus of future catalyst design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu He
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Jun Huang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Ulm University, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Yuhui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
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22
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Cao D, Shen X, Wang A, Yu F, Wu Y, Shi S, Freunberger SA, Chen Y. Threshold potentials for fast kinetics during mediated redox catalysis of insulators in Li–O2 and Li–S batteries. Nat Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-022-00752-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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23
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Zhang J, Zhao Y, Sun B, Xie Y, Tkacheva A, Qiu F, He P, Zhou H, Yan K, Guo X, Wang S, McDonagh AM, Peng Z, Lu J, Wang G. A long-life lithium-oxygen battery via a molecular quenching/mediating mechanism. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm1899. [PMID: 35061529 PMCID: PMC10954034 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm1899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The advancement of lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries has been hindered by challenges including low discharge capacity, poor energy efficiency, severe parasitic reactions, etc. We report an Li-O2 battery operated via a new quenching/mediating mechanism that relies on the direct chemical reactions between a versatile molecule and superoxide radical/Li2O2. The battery exhibits a 46-fold increase in discharge capacity, a low charge overpotential of 0.7 V, and an ultralong cycle life >1400 cycles. Featuring redox-active 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy moieties bridged by a quenching-active perylene diimide backbone, the tailor-designed molecule acts as a redox mediator to catalyze discharge/charge reactions and serves as a reusable superoxide quencher to chemically react with superoxide species generated during battery operation. The all-in-one molecule can simultaneously tackle issues of parasitic reactions associated with superoxide radicals, singlet oxygen, high overpotentials, and lithium corrosion. The molecular design of multifunctional additives combining various capabilities opens a new avenue for developing high-performance Li-O2 batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinqiang Zhang
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Yufei Zhao
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
- Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Bing Sun
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Yuan Xie
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Anastasia Tkacheva
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Feilong Qiu
- Centre of Energy Storage Materials and Technology, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Ping He
- Centre of Energy Storage Materials and Technology, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Haoshen Zhou
- Centre of Energy Storage Materials and Technology, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, National Laboratory of Solid-State Microstructures and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Kang Yan
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Xin Guo
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Shijian Wang
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Andrew M. McDonagh
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Zhangquan Peng
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, PR China
| | - Jun Lu
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Guoxiu Wang
- Centre for Clean Energy Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
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24
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Tan C, Cao D, Zheng L, Shen Y, Chen L, Chen Y. True Reaction Sites on Discharge in Li-O 2 Batteries. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:807-815. [PMID: 34991315 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c09916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the pursuit of an advanced Li-O2 battery, the true reaction sites in the cathode determined its cell performance and the catalyst design. When the first layer of insulating Li2O2 solid is deposited on the electrode substrate during discharging, the following O2 reduction to Li2O2 could take place either at the electrode|Li2O2 interface or at the Li2O2|electrolyte interface. The mechanism decides the strategies of catalyst design; however, it is still mysterious. Here, we used rotate ring-disk electrode to deposit a dense Li2O2 film and labeled the Li2O2 product with 16O/18O isotope. By identification of the distribution of the Li216O2 and Li218O2 in the Li2O2 film using new characteristic signals of Li216O2 and Li218O2, our results show that O2 is reduced to Li2O2 at both interfaces. A sandwich structure of Li218O2|Li216O2|Li218O2 was identified at the electrode surface when the electrode was discharged under 16O2 and then 18O2. The electrode|Li2O2 interface is the major reaction site, and it contributes to 75% of the overall reaction. This new mechanism raises new challenges and new strategies for the catalyst design of Li-O2 batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Deqing Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- i-Lab, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yanbin Shen
- i-Lab, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Liwei Chen
- i-Lab, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics (SINANO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China.,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, and In Situ Center for Physical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yuhui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
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25
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Lin Y, Yang Q, Geng F, Feng H, Chen M, Hu B. Suppressing Singlet Oxygen Formation during the Charge Process of Li-O 2 Batteries with a Co 3O 4 Solid Catalyst Revealed by Operando Electron Paramagnetic Resonance. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:10346-10352. [PMID: 34665633 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c02928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries promise high energy, but the cycle life has been plagued by two major obstacles, the insulating products and highly reactive singlet oxygen (1O2), which cause higher overpotential and parasitic reactions, respectively. A solid-state catalyst is known to reduce overpotential; however, it is unclear whether it affects 1O2 generation. Herein, Co3O4 was employed as the representative catalyst in Li-O2 batteries, and 1O2 generation was investigated by ex-situ and operando electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. By comparing a carbon nanotube (CNT) cathode with a Co3O4/CNT cathode, we find that 1O2 generation in the charge process can be suppressed by the Co3O4 catalyst. After carefully studying the discharge products on the two electrodes and the corresponding decomposition processes, we conclude that a LiO2-like species is responsible for the 1O2 generation during the early charge stage. The Co3O4 catalyst reduces the amount of LiO2-like species in discharge products, and thus the 1O2 formation is suppressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China
| | - Qi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China
| | - Fushan Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China
| | - Hui Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China
| | - Mengdi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China
| | - Bingwen Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, P. R. China
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26
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Pierini A, Brutti S, Bodo E. Study of the Electronic Structure of Alkali Peroxides and Their Role in the Chemistry of Metal-Oxygen Batteries. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:9368-9376. [PMID: 34649438 PMCID: PMC8558866 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c07255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
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We
use a multiconfigurational
and correlated ab initio method to
investigate the fundamental electronic properties of the peroxide
MO2– (M = Li and Na) trimer to provide
new insights into the rather complex chemistry of aprotic metal–O2 batteries. These electrochemical systems are largely based
on the electronic properties of superoxide and peroxide of alkali
metals. The two compounds differ by stoichiometry: the superoxide
is characterized by a M+O2– formula, while the peroxide is characterized by [M+]2O22–. We show here that both
the peroxide and superoxide states necessarily coexist in the MO2– trimer and that they correspond to their
different electronic states. The energetic prevalence of either one
or the other and the range of their coexistence over a subset of the
MO2– nuclear configurations is calculated
and described via a high-level multiconfigurational approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Pierini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome "La Sapienza", P. A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Sergio Brutti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome "La Sapienza", P. A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy.,GISEL-Centro di Riferimento Nazionale per i Sistemi di Accumulo Elettrochimico di Energia, INSTM via G. Giusti 9, Firenze 50121, Italy
| | - Enrico Bodo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome "La Sapienza", P. A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
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27
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Schürmann A, Luerßen B, Mollenhauer D, Janek J, Schröder D. Singlet Oxygen in Electrochemical Cells: A Critical Review of Literature and Theory. Chem Rev 2021; 121:12445-12464. [PMID: 34319075 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Rechargeable metal/O2 batteries have long been considered a promising future battery technology in automobile and stationary applications. However, they suffer from poor cyclability and rapid degradation. A recent hypothesis is the formation of singlet oxygen (1O2) as the root cause of these issues. Validation, evaluation, and understanding of the formation of 1O2 are therefore essential for improving metal/O2 batteries. We review literature and use Marcus theory to discuss the possibility of singlet oxygen formation in metal/O2 batteries as a product from (electro)chemical reactions. We conclude that experimental evidence is yet not fully conclusive, and side reactions can play a major role in verifying the existence of singlet oxygen. Following an in-depth analysis based on Marcus theory, we conclude that 1O2 can only originate from a chemical step. A direct electrochemical generation, as proposed by others, can be excluded on the basis of theoretical arguments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Schürmann
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Bjoern Luerßen
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Doreen Mollenhauer
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Janek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniel Schröder
- Institute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering (InES), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Langer Kamp 19B, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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