Evaluation of the Electrochemical Performance of a Lithium-Air Cell Utilizing Diethylene Glycol Diethyl Ether-Based Electrolyte

Abstract

Diethylene glycol diethyl ether (DEGDEE) was evaluated as an electrolyte solvent for a non-aqueous lithium-air cell. An electrolyte solution of 1 M LiTFSI in DEGDEE showed a high ionic conductivity of 4.7 mS cm(-1) at room temperature and considerably high oxidative stability. The full discharge and charge cycles of the lithium-air cells demonstrated that the DEGDEE-based electrolyte provided the unique ability to facilitate the reversible reduction and oxidation processes at the porous carbon electrode without a catalyst. The lithium-air cell employing the DEGDEE-based electrolyte exhibited fairly stable cycling behavior when the carbon loading was 0.5 mg cm(-2) and the depth of discharge of the carbon electrode was limited to 1,000 mAh g(-1).