Argonne National Laboratory

Research Highlight | Center for Nanoscale Materials

Cathodes with multiple lives demonstrated in lithium-air batteries

In a Small: Methods paper, scientists propose a method for creating recyclable, binder-free air electrodes for lithium-air batteries.
Electrode preparation workflow: a) Optical images of MWCNT powder and ultrasonic probe used for dispersion, as well as SEM image of the aligned array CNT powder. b) Optical image of CNT disc on a vacuum filter and SEM image of the filtered material. c) Optical image showcasing the flexibility of the CNT discs and SEM images at different magnifications.

Scientific Achievement

A cost-effective method has been developed to produce recyclable air electrodes for lithium-air batteries. Free-standing and binder-free cathodes are made from multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCT). Their second-life capability was demonstrated in fresh batteries.

Significance and Impact

Recyclable air electrodes would alleviate concerns about (i) the future supply of critically important cathode elements like Ni and Co and (ii) the lifespan of Li-ion batteries currently being limited to 8-10 years. The results suggest that Li-air batteries are an environmentally friendly and low-cost alternative of energy storage.

Research Details

  • The Center for Nanoscale Materials assisted in the electrode design.

DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300452

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    About Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale Materials
    The Center for Nanoscale Materials is one of the five DOE Nanoscale Science Research Centers, premier national user facilities for interdisciplinary research at the nanoscale supported by the DOE Office of Science. Together the NSRCs comprise a suite of complementary facilities that provide researchers with state-of-the-art capabilities to fabricate, process, characterize and model nanoscale materials, and constitute the largest infrastructure investment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. The NSRCs are located at DOE’s Argonne, Brookhaven, Lawrence Berkeley, Oak Ridge, Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. For more information about the DOE NSRCs, please visit https://​sci​ence​.osti​.gov/​U​s​e​r​-​F​a​c​i​l​i​t​i​e​s​/​U​s​e​r​-​F​a​c​i​l​i​t​i​e​s​-​a​t​-​a​-​G​lance.

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