Lithium-air Battery –Promise, Challenges, and Mechanism

Lithium-air batteries are batteries that can produce enough energy that is way much better than renewable energy sources. These batteries are created to protect the environment as they don't release any toxic air. These types of batteries promise the existence of very high densities and power storage. 

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Some of the challenges pulling the lithium-air –battery down make it hard for the batteries to expand in the marketplace. The mechanism of a lithium-air battery is simple, and it generates its energy from the oxygen in the air. The air is responsible for igniting the chemical reactions, which then generates electricity.

Lithium-air Battery Promise and Challenges 

The biggest promise of the lithium-air battery is its ability to protect the environment. This is done by using oxygen in the air, propelling a chemical reaction that produces electricity for most electric vehicles. In addition, the storage of electricity is very promising, enabling the battery to recharge.

The lithium-air battery is very effective, but few challenges are yet to be dealt with. The instability of materials is one of the major setbacks. A lot of research has concluded that the non-aqueous lithium battery is the one that has a better chance of storing enough energy for electric vehicles. Materials such as the air cathode are fundamental to the battery, but it has proved to be ineffective, and therefore more materials are being sought to stabilize the battery. At the moment, the air cathode has a very low-level performance. 

Incomplete reversibility. Irreversibility is majorly caused by the reaction between the electrolyte, lithium, and other dissolved gases such as carbon (IV) oxide. For the lithium-air battery to be available largely in the market world, incomplete reversibility has to be fixed. This problem can be rectified if new electrolyte materials that are soluble can be used. For non-aqueous batteries, the air electrodes also need to be changed to experience better results. 

Incomplete utilization of the cathode pores. Lithium-air batteries are made in three different forms. One of the forms is the non-aqueous batteries which discharge particles that are insoluble and responsible for the blockage of the pores. When cathode pores are blocked, there are very few reactions that can take place, and therefore the performance of the battery is altered.

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Lithium-air Battery Companies 

The three major companies controlling the lithium-air batteries are; Mullen Technologies, Inc., Tesla, Inc., and Poly plus Battery Co. Poly plus Battery Company are one of the three companies that deal with the manufacture and development of a rechargeable lithium-air battery. According to the company, the lithium-air batteries they develop can store around 700% more energy than the previous traditional lithium-ion batteries. Also, the lithium-air battery uses the air to produce energy and electricity.

Polyplus is a company that has existed since 1991 and has always dealt with the invention of the next better batteries. One of the batteries the company is known to have invented is the water-stable protected lithium electrode. Lithium-air batteries are one of the projects the company has been working on to enable electric vehicles to move faster and at an affordable rate.

Mullen technologies are one of the best electric vehicle manufacturing and battery production company. The company is building infrastructures that will aid in the manufacture of electric vehicles in masses. One of the major works of the company is to get materials to make many electric vehicles, and Lithium-air battery is one of the materials they sought to use.

Tesla is one of the other electric vehicle manufacturers, and for that, they are focusing on the use of lithium-air batteries. The company wants to produce the fastest electric cars that are profitable and affordable at the same time. Tesla Company has made efforts to come up with batteries that will sustain the electric vehicles. The three companies are competitors since they all want to manufacture electric cars that are fast and affordable.

Lithium-air Battery Mechanism

The lithium-air battery, compared to the lithium-ion battery, is lighter. The battery works by using the oxygen in the air to react with the lithium ions at the anode. When the oxygen molecules react with the lithium ions, lithium peroxide is generated. Once the reaction has taken place, electric energy is produced, and that is enough to power up a car.

The lithium peroxide formed, however, is not a good electrolyte since it covers the electrode preventing the transfer of electrons. Without the transfer of the electrons, the reaction is dead, and no energy is produced. The remedy to this problem is to always ensure that Lithium Iodide is added to the electrolyte and little amount of water. The combination of the above ensures the electrode is free to conduct electrons.

Lithium hydroxide is formed when water and lithium iodide is added. The hydroxide is in the form of crystals and concentrates on the pores of the carbon electrode. The best thing is that the concentration of the crystals does not interfere with the voltage supply in the battery. It is fundamental to note that the lithium iodide acts as a mere facilitator accompanied by water.

Conclusion

A lot of research has been done on lithium-air batteries, and many researchers are positive that with the combination of the right materials the electric cars can use the battery. This also shows there is a promise of the commercial market for electric cars when the lithium-air batteries are 100% effective. The three major electric car manufacturing companies have proven that with few amendments to the battery, the vehicles will be able to operate faster and can be acquired at an affordable rate.

The lithium-air battery is environmentally friendly and will reduce the need for harmful fuel resources. The few challenges mentioned have researchers looking for ways to amend them and make the lithium-air battery 100% effective and reliable. The demand for electric vehicles that do not harm the environment is on the rise, and many companies such as; Tesla, Mullen Technologies, and Poly plus Battery Company are working on the best lithium-air battery.