Engineers have created a new high-capacity lithium air battery. In this respect informs US Department of Energy.
Metal air batteries use ambient oxygen as a source of material for the chemical reaction, unlike conventional batteries with a sealed sealed design. This provides a significant increase in energy storage density. The main innovation in the new lithium air battery is the use of a solid electrolyte instead of the usual liquid electrolyte. Liquid electrolyte is the source of many of the problems and hazards in batteries, as they can leak or explode.
In pre-existing lithium-air batteries, the lithium at the lithium metal anode moves through the liquid electrolyte, combining with oxygen during discharge to form lithium peroxide (Li).2HE2) or superoxide (LiO2) at the cathode. Lithium peroxide or superoxide is then split back into lithium and oxygen during charging. This cycle of chemical reactions stores and releases energy on demand.
The new solid electrolyte consists of a ceramic polymer material made from relatively inexpensive nanoparticle-based cells. This solid allows chemical reactions to take place that result in the formation of lithium oxide (Li).2HE).
The new lithium air battery is the first in which the four-electron reaction takes place at room temperature. In addition, the battery can use oxygen from the air without the need for pressurization from the cylinders.
Metal-air batteries are considered the most promising field of study when trying to develop batteries with much higher energy density than lithium-ion.