Performance improvement of air electrode for Li/air batteries by hydrophobicity adjustment

Abstract

In this paper, a particular air electrode structure for Li/air batteries was designed and evaluated by using carbon paper as the support for the catalyst and the current collector of the air electrode. It was demonstrated that waterproof treatment of the carbon paper with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) enhanced its hydrophobicity, which is beneficial to the inward gas diffusion, prevention of moisture permeation and holding of the electrolyte at the same time. The Li/air battery using waterproof carbon paper with 30% PTFE and nonmetal catalyst presents a maximum specific capacity of 2367.6 mA h g⁻¹ at a discharge current density of 0.1 mA cm⁻². Additionally, the discharge stability is quite good.