Ultralight, Corrosion-Resistant Cathode Material for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

Rechargeable lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries have received growing attention because of their high theoretical energy density, their ability to outperform state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries, and their potential as an alternative to gasoline. However, the successful development of lithium-oxygen battery technology depends on resolving the issue of cathode corrosion by the discharge product (Li2O2) or by the intermediates (LiO2) that are generated during cell cycling. Research published in the American Chemical Society  describes a Li-O2 battery with a nano-engineered ultralight and robust all-metal cathode that consists of porous Ni with an AuNi alloy surface attached to Ni foam.