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Magnetism in lithium-oxygen discharge product
Jun Lu1, Hun-Ji Jung, Kah Chun Lau
1Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA.
Chemsuschem
|May 15, 2013
Summary
Lithium-oxygen batteries show promise for electric vehicles. Researchers found lithium peroxide discharge products possess a magnetic moment, suggesting surface superoxide groups play a key role in battery chemistry.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Battery Technology
Background:
- Nonaqueous lithium-oxygen batteries offer higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries, crucial for long-range electric vehicles.
- Understanding lithium peroxide formation, discharge products, and electrolyte stability is key to advancing lithium-oxygen battery technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the magnetic properties of lithium peroxide, the major discharge product in lithium-oxygen cells.
- To elucidate the role of surface species on lithium peroxide in battery performance.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and testing of a lithium-oxygen cell with an ether-based electrolyte.
- Direct current (dc) magnetization measurements of the discharge product.
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
- Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Lithium peroxide, the primary discharge product, was found to exhibit a magnetic moment.
- DFT calculations predicted the existence of superoxide-type surface oxygen groups with unpaired electrons on lithium peroxide surfaces.
- EPR measurements confirmed the presence of these magnetic species in commercial lithium peroxide.
Conclusions:
- The unexpected magnetic moment of lithium peroxide suggests the presence of surface superoxide groups with unpaired electrons.
- These surface superoxide groups may influence the reversible cycling of lithium peroxide and electrolyte decomposition in lithium-oxygen batteries.
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