A Lithium-Air Battery Stably Working at High Temperature with High Rate Performance

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Lithium-air batteries offer high energy density but face safety issues due to volatile organic electrolytes at elevated temperatures.
• Developing high-temperature stable lithium-air batteries is crucial for applications in demanding environments, including the automotive industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a lithium-air battery capable of stable and efficient operation at high temperatures (up to 140 °C).
• To address the safety concerns associated with conventional lithium-air battery electrolytes under thermal stress.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of ionic liquids for enhanced thermal stability and low vapor pressure.
• Utilization of aligned carbon nanotubes for superior electrical and thermal conductivity.
• Development of a flexible, fiber-shaped battery design for efficient heat management.

Main Results:

• The developed lithium-air battery operates stably at 140 °C with a high specific current of 10 A g⁻¹ for 380 cycles.
• High-temperature operation improved specific powers by enhancing ionic conductivity and cathode catalytic activity.
• The fiber format facilitated rapid heat conduction and uniform temperature distribution.

Conclusions:

• The novel fiber-shaped lithium-air battery demonstrates exceptional stability and rate performance at high temperatures.
• This work presents a viable strategy for developing high-performance, safe energy storage devices for extreme conditions.