Evidence of catalyzed oxidation of Li sub(2)O sub(2) for rechargeable Li-air battery applications

• Published in: Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP Vol. 14; no. 30; pp. 10540 - 10546
• Main Authors: Harding, Jonathon R, Lu, Yi-Chun, Tsukada, Yasuhiro, Shao-Horn, Yang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Electric potential; Electrodes; Gold; Nanoparticles; Oxidation; Platinum; Reaction kinetics; Voltage
• DOI: 10.1039/c2cp41761h
• ISSN: 1463-9076

The oxidation kinetics of Li sub(2)O sub(2) was studied in a carbonate-free electrolyte using electrodes consisting of non-catalyzed and catalyzed Vulcan carbon (VC) and chemically synthesized Li sub(2)O sub(2) particles. VC and Au nanoparticles supported on VC (Au/C) were fairly inactive for catalyzing the oxidation of Li sub(2)O sub(2), where oxidation currents greater than 10 mA g sub(carbon) super(-1) were found only at voltages equal to and greater than 4.0 V vs.Li (V sub(Li)). Pt and Ru nanoparticles supported on VC (Pt/C and Ru/C) could significantly increase the kinetics of Li sub(2)O sub(2) oxidation, where Li sub(2)O sub(2) could be removed largely at voltages below 4 V sub(Li). In addition, Pt/C and Ru/C showed quick initiation of Li sub(2)O sub(2) oxidation in contrast to VC and Au/C.