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A new development has emerged in the field of lithium-air battery technology. These batteries operate by "breathing" oxygen, making them a promising innovation for future energy storage solutions. On February 19th, the Green Energy Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced that their research team has made significant progress in improving the performance of lithium-air batteries. By focusing on catalysts, they have greatly enhanced the efficiency of the chemical reactions between lithium and oxygen, which in turn improves both charging and discharging processes. This advancement brings the technology closer to commercial use, potentially revolutionizing the power source for electric vehicles.
One charge could power an electric vehicle for up to 800 kilometers
On February 19th, Cui Guanglei, a researcher at the Bionic Energy and Energy Storage Systems department of the Green Energy Institute, shared details about the recent breakthroughs in lithium-air battery research. He emphasized that these batteries hold great potential for future applications, especially in the automotive industry. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, lithium-air batteries use oxygen from the air as a key component, significantly increasing their energy density.
Cui explained that the theoretical energy density of lithium-air batteries can reach up to 5200 Wh/kg, which is one to two orders of magnitude higher than current battery technologies. This means that, per unit weight, they can store much more energy—tens or even hundreds of times more than conventional batteries. With the growing demand for high-energy-density power sources in electric vehicles, lithium-air batteries are seen as a strong candidate to meet those needs. It is estimated that a single charge could allow an electric car to travel up to 800 kilometers.
Despite the promising outlook, there are still challenges to overcome before lithium-air batteries can be widely adopted. One major issue is the cost of materials used in the catalytic process. Currently, the most effective catalysts are made from precious metals like gold and platinum, which are expensive. However, the research team at the Green Energy Institute has made a breakthrough in developing more affordable electrode materials, which could help accelerate the commercialization of this technology.
The battery recharges by "breathing" oxygen
Unlike regular batteries that rely on internal chemicals for energy storage, lithium-air batteries function by drawing oxygen from the surrounding air. According to Cui Guanglei, the negative electrode is made of metallic lithium, while the positive electrode is formed by the oxygen present in the atmosphere. During discharge, oxygen molecules react with lithium ions to form lithium peroxide, and during charging, this compound reverses back into oxygen. This process resembles biological respiration, where oxygen is inhaled and then used to generate energy.
Cui highlighted that using oxygen as a reactant offers several advantages. It’s abundant, environmentally friendly, and reduces the overall cost of the battery. Additionally, the high energy density makes it an ideal choice for future electric vehicles, potentially allowing them to compete directly with traditional gasoline-powered cars.
"Generalist" catalysts enable efficient reactions
The key to the success of lithium-air batteries lies in the catalyst. In the design studied by the team, the battery consists of three layers: lithium, electrolyte, and catalyst. The catalyst plays a crucial role in enabling the reaction between lithium and oxygen. The electrolyte ensures smooth ion movement without causing a short circuit between the electrodes.
The team focused on addressing two major issues in existing lithium-air batteries: low charge-discharge efficiency and limited cycle life. They found that transition metal nitrides are highly suitable as catalysts. Through careful design and synthesis, they developed a cobalt-molybdenum-nitrogen ternary material with dual catalytic properties—acting effectively during both discharge and charge cycles. This "all-rounder" catalyst significantly improved the performance of the battery, reducing polarization and enhancing energy conversion efficiency.
As a result, the team achieved a 70% increase in the deep discharge cycle life of lithium-air batteries, bringing them one step closer to real-world application.
Expected to help replace traditional fuel
With rising fossil fuel prices, the need for more efficient and sustainable power sources has never been greater. Lithium-air batteries offer a compelling alternative, with a theoretical capacity ten times higher than the best lithium-ion batteries. This could make them the next big leap in electric vehicle technology.
Cui Guanglei noted that the research has been ongoing for over three years, and finding the right materials was one of the biggest challenges. However, the results so far are promising. Supported by various national and provincial projects, the study has already produced several important findings. The team remains optimistic about the future of lithium-air batteries and their potential impact on transportation and energy systems.
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Lithium-ion vs. Lithium-air Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in smartphones and laptops. They rely on lithium compounds for the positive electrode and carbon materials for the negative electrode. While they offer higher energy density compared to other types of batteries, they are also more expensive and have limited range. To achieve widespread adoption of electric vehicles, the energy density of batteries needs to increase by about six to seven times.
Lithium-air batteries, with their much higher theoretical energy density, have attracted significant attention. They absorb oxygen from the air, making them lighter and more compact. Although many labs around the world are working on this technology, commercialization may still take some time without further breakthroughs. Reporter: Li Xiaozhe.
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