Investigation of different electrolyte compositions for Li-O۲ batteries

Li-based batteries have attracted great attention during last decades due to their utilization in various electronic devices from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles. But in order to ameliorate the performance of these vehicles some promising candidates such as Li-O۲, Li-S and Na-ion batteries demonstrated great results. Among these candidates, Li-O۲ batteries which consisted of Li anode, carbonaceous cathode and liquid electrolyte depicted extensive energy density (۱۱۱۴۰ Wh.kg-۱) which is ۵-۱۰ times greater than conventional Li-ion batteries. Since these energy storages are in their infancy, so many efforts should be dedicated with the aim of reporting the best electrolyte composition. Thus, some prominent factors such as low volatility, high oxygen solubility and inert to superoxide radicals have to be considered for each candidate. Based on various results, extensive solid and liquid electrolyte compositions proposed to enhance the performance of these batteries such as ether-based, carbonate-based and sulfoxid-based electrolytes with different lithium salts (e.g: LiTFSI, LiPF۶ and LiClO۴). In this project, different solvents of N-methyl-۲-pyrolidone (NMP), propylene carbonate (PC), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), Dimethylcarbonate (DMC), ethylencarbonate (EC), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) with Lithium perchlorate (LiClO۴) salt investigated as electrolytes. So, in order to propose best candidate for Li-O۲ batteries, three parameters of conductivity, cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry tests investigated for each battery. Eventually, based on various results for each electrolyte, LiClO۴ in the range of ۰.۲۵-۱ M with different volumetric ratios for each solvent can provide enough stability and sufficient cycleability.