Lithium-Air Battery Research

Lithium-air battery is considered as one of the highest energy density batteries for various future applications. There are only limited studies reported in the literature on this battery system. In the present project studies, various aspects related to fabrication of air electrode and assembly of Li-air (or, oxygen) cells are undertaken. Firstly, several carbon samples are screened to fabricate air electrodes, and they are tested by assembling Li-air cells in cell containers suitably made for this purpose. Carbon sample, which is purchased from a China company is found to provide a maximum discharge capacity. Further experiments are conducted to optimize the conditions of electrodes preparation, evaluate various catalysts for oxygen electrode, etc. Using optimized air electrodes, it is found that a maximum discharge capacity of 3000 mAh/g can be obtained for Li-air cell. This value is one of the highest capacity values reported so far in the literature. The various experiments conducted and the results obtained are reported here.