A lithium–oxygen battery with a long cycle life in an air-like atmosphere

Lithium–air batteries could have extremely high energy densities and are therefore attractive successors to the lithium-ion batteries that are currently used in electric vehicles. However, the chemistry involved is complex, with multiple potential (and parasitic) side reactions. These are exacerbated by the relatively low proportion of the 'active' component (oxygen) in a real air mixture as opposed to a pure oxygen feed. This can lead to poor performance relative to the theoretical energy density, as well as degradation with time. Now, Larry Curtiss and colleagues combine appropriate cathodes and electrolytes and protect the lithium anode to create a lithium–air battery that can operate for hundreds of cycles in a realistic air-like atmosphere. This suggests that future development of these batteries may not be restricted to using purified air streams.