High Performance Air Breathing Flexible Lithium–Air Battery

Abstract

Lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂ ) batteries possess the highest theoretical energy density (3500 Wh kg^-1 ), which makes them attractive candidates for modern electronics and transportation applications. In this work, an inexpensive, flexible, and wearable Li-O₂ battery based on the bifunctional redox mediator of InBr₃ , MoS₂ cathode catalyst, and Fomblin-based oxygen permeable membrane that enable long-cycle-life operation of the battery in pure oxygen, dry air, and ambient air is designed, fabricated, and tested. The battery operates in ambient air with an open system air-breathing architecture and exhibits excellent cycling up to 240 at the high current density of 1 A g^-1 with a relative humidity of 75%. The electrochemical performance of the battery including deep-discharge capacity, and rate capability remains almost identical after 1000 cycle in a bending fatigue test. This finding opens a new direction for utilizing high performance Li-O₂ batteries for applications in the field of flexible and wearable electronics.