Lithium-Air Batteries

Among various novel chemical power systems with potentially high specific energy characteristics, lithium metal battery systems using metallic lithium as the anode have attracted significant attention. Metallic lithium possesses the highest theoretical capacity (3,860 mAh https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> g - 1) and the lowest electrochemical potential (−3.04 V vs. NHE, normal hydrogen electrode), making it the optimal choice for anode materials in next-generation high specific energy lithium metal batteries such as lithium-sulfur and lithium-air (Li-air) batteries. As shown in Figure 3.1, among various lithium metal battery systems, Li-air batteries have the highest theoretical energy density (3,460 Wh https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> kg - 1), which is far superior to that of conventional lithium-ion battery systems. Such a high energy density makes Li-air batteries highly valuable for research, with broad application potential not only in the electric vehicle industry but also in portable electronic devices and large-scale energy storage.