On the use of gas diffusion layers as current collectors in Li-O2 batteries
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Date
2014-09-03
Authors
Geaney, Hugh
O'Connell, John
Holmes, Justin D.
O'Dwyer, Colm
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Electrochemical Society
Published Version
Abstract
We investigate the impact of using a carbon based gas diffusion layer (GDL) as the current collector for Li-O2 batteries. It is shown that the GDL actively participates in ORR during discharge conditions and, if its mass is not accounted for, can lead to inflated discharge capacity figures compared to inert cathode supports. SEM and XRD analyses show that Li2O2 discharge products form on cathodes composed of as-received GDL in a similar manner to that observed for carbon on stainless steel (SS) current collectors (at applied currents of 100 μA cm−2 or less). The relative activity of the GDL, carbon on GDL and carbon-on-stainless steel current collectors from voltammetric measurements confirmed ORR and OER processes to be similar at all carbon-based surfaces. When heated above 300°C, degradation of the binder in the GDL and associated loss of carbon from the substrate surface leads to reduced discharge times compared to the pristine GDL substrates. The data highlight the importance of the contribution to ORR/OER in carbon-based active current collector substrates when determining gravimetric capacities of Li-O2 batteries.
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Keywords
Stainless steel , Carbon , Cathodes , Diamond films , Diffusion in gases , Electric batteries , Electric current collectors , Electrodes , Lithium , Lithium batteries , Substrates
Citation
Geaney, H., O'Connell, J., Holmes, J. D. and O'Dwyer, C. (2014) 'On the Use of Gas Diffusion Layers as Current Collectors in Li-O2 Battery Cathodes', Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 161(14), pp. A1964-A1968. doi:10.1149/2.0021414jes
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© 2014 The Electrochemical Society.