Tea polyphenol-inspired tannic acid-treated polypropylene membrane as a stable separator for lithium–oxygen batteries

Abstract

Tannic acid, one of the most common tea polyphenols, is a superoxide radical scavenger that is coated on the PP membrane to protect it from being attacked by superoxide radicals during the discharging and charging process of the Li–O₂ battery. The radical scavenging capability of TA was evaluated in both KO₂ + crown solution and Li–O₂ battery and the effective superoxide radical scavenging ability of TA was confirmed; moreover, due to this ability, it highly improved the cycling stability of the Li–O₂ battery.