MATERIALS SCIENCE COLLOQUIUM

Refreshments will be served at 10:45 a.m.

ABSTRACT: Nonaqueous Li-air batteries have a much superior theoretical gravimetric energy density compared to conventional Li-ion batteries, and thus have the potential for making long-range electric vehicles a reality.
Two major problems that have limited the successful development of Li-air batteries to date have been related to severe difficulties in attaining reversibility and low charge overpotentials. This seminar will cover recent results from a lab-wide initiative on research into development of Li-air batteries. The new results are remarkable in three respects. First, the cells exhibit excellent reversibility, in contrast to previous studies that showed little reversibility. Secondly, the results show a very low and flat charge overpotential, which is considerably lower than previous Li-air studies and is needed to attain electrical energy efficiency. Finally, despite much focus on the need for a metal catalyst in the literature, the reversibility and low charge overpotential have been achieved with no metal catalyst added to the cathode. Theory and characterization studies that are being used to help explain the results will be discussed, as well as needs for further research.