Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrenesulfonate)- decorated separator in Li-O2 batteries: Suppressing the shuttle effect of dual redox mediators by coulombic interactions

Abstract Although dual redox mediators (RMs) largely promote the discharge capacity and decreases the charge overpotential in Li-O2 batteries, the shuttle effect leads to a RM degradation and a serious deterioration of Li metal, which results in a poor sustainability. Here, a poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) -decorated separator has been firstly introduced into a dual mixture RMs-involved Li-O2 system, which restrains the shuttle effect via coulombic interactions. Benefiting from the advantages of as-prepared separator, a cell exhibits an enhanced cycling stability and a good reversibility associated with the Li2O2 formation and decomposition during cell cycling. These results represent a promising progress in the development of an easy-to-operate modified separator for a highly efficient Li-O2 battery.