Hybrid Air-Electrode for Li/Air Batteries

A hybrid air-electrode is designed to improve the energy density of Li/air batteries operating in an ambient environment. Three lithium insertion materials, , , and , are mixed with activated carbon to prepare different hybrid air-electrodes used in Li/air batteries. When compared with pure carbon-based Li/air batteries, the batteries using hybrid air-electrodes demonstrate significantly improved specific capacities and energies, especially for the -based hybrid Li/air batteries. Extremely hydrophobic also facilitates the formation of air-flow channels in the carbon matrix and alleviates air-electrode blocking problem during the discharge process. These hybrid air-electrodes provide a promising approach to improve the energy density of Li/air batteries.