Catalyst to enhance lithium-oxygen batteries

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tohoku University and CREST have demonstrated the catalytic activity of RuO2 in the formation and decomposition of Li2O2 for lithium-oxygen microbattery. The work was performed using Hummingbird’s Liquid Cell Holder and the findings are published in Nano Energy

The researchers loaded LiFePO4 and RuO2 on two separate electrodes of the chips and flowed liquid electrolyte solution inside the environmental cell of the Liquid TEM holder. They observed that RuO2 can catalyze the formation and oxidation of soluble LiO2 intermediates, along with Li2O2 during discharging and fully decompose during charging. This critical piece of information could have greater impact in the development of lithium-oxygen batteries.

Reference: Chen Houa, Jiuhui Hanb, Pan Liua, Chuchu Yangb, Gang Huangb, Takeshi Fujitab, Akihiko Hiratab, and Mingwei Chen. “Operando observations of RuO2 catalyzed Li2O2 formation and decomposition in a Li-O2 micro-battery,” Nano Energy (2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.02.057

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