Compared to Lithium-ion cells, Lithium-oxygen batteries are also coming close to fill the gap of power production. But there are certain measures which are still keeping the later one a bit behind in terms of their usability. One of the crucial reasons among these is its lack of electrochemical stability. Perhaps, now Lithium-Oxygen Batteries can witness a growth opportunity, as a team of researchers from ACS Central Science has discovered a new type of cathode which could fill up this gap in lithium-Oxygen cells.
According to Science Daily, Xin-Bo Zhang and his associates stated that the lithium-Oxygen cells carry the issues of two highly reduced oxygen species that react readily with the electrolyte and the cathode. Carbon is considered to be a potential cathode. But it is pretty much unstable. Therefore, Carbon can't be utilized in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries. For this situation, the team was required to such a cathode or similar component which is not reactive with the reduced oxygen species. But, for the purpose, the cathode must also be less-weighty attributing same high conductive characteristic alongside porous nature as like carbon.
After going through a thorough research based process, they found out an exactly similar type of content. Chemistry World pointed that the material includes three separate types of nickel including a nanoporous nickel surface alongside a gold-nickel alloy surface. Unlike Carbon cathode, the component has higher stability with the survival strength up to 286 cycles. This would make the lithium-oxygen battery a burning reality in comparison to the lithium-ion cell. Moreover, it could also stay stable in diverse conditions.
The nanoporous structure of the material also satisfies better and long term usability. Lithium-Oxygen Batteries would also have better connectivity in later days, according to potential sources. The scientists also said that this innovation would pave new ways for more usage of Lithium-Oxygen Batteries.
