Stability of a Water-Stable Lithium Metal Anode for a Lithium–Air Battery with Acetic Acid–Water Solutions

The stability of water-stable lithium metal in aqueous acetic acid solution was examined as an anode in a lithium–air rechargeable battery. The water-stable lithium anode consisted of a water-stable glass-ceramic (LTAP), a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based electrolyte with (LiTFSI), and lithium metal. The LTAP immersed in -saturated solutions at for several weeks showed no change in the X-ray diffraction pattern and showed a slight decrease in the electrical conductivity. The water-stable lithium anode, , showed a total resistance of at after being immersed in HAc (90 vol %)– -saturated LiAc for 1 week. The air cell had a low polarization for lithium dissolution and deposition at a current density of . A prototype lithium–air cell using a carbon air electrode with a platinum catalyst showed a good charge and discharge cycle performance, and about 30% of acetic acid in the cell was consumed and recovered in the charge and discharge process.