An Ultrahigh Power Li-O-2 Battery

The nonaqueous Li-O-2 battery has the highest energy density among various systems so far, often reported as comparable to that of gasoline; this exceptional energy potentiality has elicited worldwide interest as a superior energy storage system. Major challenges have limited the performance of Li-O-2 batteries regarding high charging overpotential, low rate capabilities, and cycle stabilities. Many approaches to reducing the charging overpotential and resulting enhanced cycling performance have been suggested, whereas only a few studies have focused on high-power performance. For successful electric propulsion applications, it is required that high-power technologies are developed for advanced Li-O-2 batteries. We show the operating possibility of the nonaqueous primary Li-O-2 cell at the A/g level and cycle stability of the nonaqueous rechargeable Li-O-2 cell using the electrolyte bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt melted in dimethylglycol and single-walled carbon nanotube cathodes.