A US-developed lithium air battery is projected to travel beyond 1,000 kilometers on a single charge, with future potential to power domestic aircraft and long-haul trucks. The key feature is a solid electrolyte replaces the usual liquid component, addressing safety concerns associated with liquid electrolytes used in lithium ion and other batteries that can overheat or ignite. The solid electrolyte also enables a dramatic boost in energy density, potentially up to four times that of lithium ion batteries, translating to greater driving range or flight endurance.
For more than ten years researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and collaborating institutions have been working to bring this technology to fruition. Larry Curtiss of Argonne, who participated in the research, explained that a lithium air battery that uses oxygen from the air has emerged as a leading candidate for next generation energy storage. He noted that lithium air holds the highest estimated energy density among battery technologies being considered beyond lithium ion.
In earlier lithium air designs, a lithium metal anode moved through a liquid electrolyte and reacted with oxygen at the cathode to form lithium peroxide or superoxide during discharge. These compounds would then decompose during charging, storing and releasing energy on demand. The new solid electrolyte design replaces the liquid phase with a ceramic polymer material composed of inexpensive elements arranged as nanoparticles. This solid enables chemical reactions that form lithium oxide when discharged.
According to Argonne chemist Rachid Amine, the superoxide or lithium peroxide reactions involve only one or two electrons per molecule of oxygen, whereas lithium oxide stores four electrons, allowing higher energy density. The team reports that their lithium air design achieves a four electron reaction at room temperature and can operate with oxygen supplied directly from the surrounding air. This eliminates the need for on-board oxygen tanks, a constraint that hindered earlier versions.
The researchers used a range of techniques to verify the four-electron mechanism. Transmission electron microscopy of the discharge products on the cathode surface, conducted at Argonnes Center for Nanoscale Materials, provided crucial insights into how the discharge process achieves higher electron transfer. Prior lithium air prototypes faced limited lifespans, but a test cell operated through about 1,000 cycles demonstrated stability under repeated charging and discharging, addressing a major reliability concern. Curtiss commented that with further development the design could reach a record energy density of around 1,200 watt hours per kilogram, nearly four times the energy density of lithium ion systems. This progress signals a potential leap forward for electric mobility and long-range energy storage.
The research underscores a shift toward solid state chemistry in next generation batteries, where solid electrolytes not only improve safety margins but open pathways to higher energy densities and simplified system designs. The Argonne team continues to refine materials and interfaces to maximize performance while maintaining manufacturability and cost-effectiveness for wide-scale adoption. In this context, the lithium air platform remains one of the most promising routes to meeting the demands of future electric aviation, heavy transport, and energy storage networks, with ongoing collaboration across national laboratories and industry partners. Attribution to Argonne National Laboratory denotes the contribution of the researchers and facilities involved in validating the battery chemistry and performance.