A novel aqueous lithium–oxygen cell based on the oxygen-peroxide redox couple

Abstract

The electrochemical process of an aqueous Li–O₂ cell is investigated. Li₂O₂ is detected as a discharge product of an aqueous Li–O₂ cell using a catalyst-free carbon-based electrode. The electrolyte solution saturated with lithium hydroxide prevents hydrolysis of the Li₂O₂. Since the electron transfer process is based on the oxygen-peroxide redox couple, the galvanostatic charging–discharging profile shows stable cycling with an extremely low charging overpotential of <0.1 V at 1.0 mA cm⁻².