A non-academic perspective on the future of lithium-based batteries.

In the field of lithium-based batteries, there is often a substantial divide between academic research and industrial market needs. This is in part driven by a lack of peer-reviewed publications from industry. Here we present a non-academic view on applied research in lithium-based batteries to sharpen the focus and help bridge the gap between academic and industrial research.

Using polyoxometalates to enhance the capacity of lithium-oxygen batteries.

The Keggin-type polyoxometalate α-SiW12O404- increases the discharge capacity and potential of lithium-oxygen batteries, by facilitating the reduction of O2 to Li2O2, as confirmed by in situ electrochemical pressure measurements and XRD. Compared to organic redox mediators, polyoxometalates have higher chemical and structural stability, which could lead to longer cycling lithium-oxygen batteries.

The Effect of Water on Quinone Redox Mediators in Nonaqueous Li-O Batteries.

The parasitic reactions associated with reduced oxygen species and the difficulty in achieving the high theoretical capacity have been major issues plaguing development of practical nonaqueous Li-O batteries. We hereby address the above issues by exploring the synergistic effect of 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone and HO on the oxygen chemistry in a nonaqueous Li-O battery. Water stabilizes the quinone monoanion and dianion, shifting the reduction potentials of the quinone and monoanion to more positive values (vs Li/Li).

Understanding LiOH Chemistry in a Ruthenium-Catalyzed Li-O Battery.

Non-aqueous Li-O batteries are promising for next-generation energy storage. New battery chemistries based on LiOH, rather than Li O , have been recently reported in systems with added water, one using a soluble additive LiI and the other using solid Ru catalysts. Here, the focus is on the mechanism of Ru-catalyzed LiOH chemistry.

Improving Na-O batteries with redox mediators.

A new route to enhance the performance of Na-O cells is demonstrated. Redox mediators (such as ethyl viologen) are shown to facilitate the discharge reaction, producing an increased capacity (due to suppressed electrode passivation), higher discharge potential (due to faster kinetics) and stable cycling.

In situ phase behaviour of a high capacity LiCoPO electrode during constant or pulsed charge of a lithium cell.

The phase changes that occur during lithium extraction from LiCoPO in lithium half-cells were studied using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The existence of two two-phase regions with an intermediate phase present was observed. Significant variations in the composition of the phases of nominal stoichiometry LiCoPO, LiCoPO and CoPO resulted in unit cell volume variations.