Performance and Degradation of A Lithium-Bromine Rechargeable Fuel Cell Using Highly Concentrated Catholytes

Abstract

Lithium-air batteries have been considered as ultimate solutions for the power source of long-range electrified transportation, but state-of-the-art prototypes still suffer from short cycle life, low efficiency and poor power output. Here, a lithium-bromine rechargeable fuel cell using highly concentrated bromine catholytes is demonstrated with comparable specific energy, improved power density, and higher efficiency. The cell is similar in structure to a hybrid-electrolyte Li-air battery, where a lithium metal anode in nonaqueous electrolyte is separated from aqueous bromine catholytes by a lithium-ion conducting ceramic plate. The cell with a flat graphite electrode can discharge at a peak power density around 9 mW cm -2 and in principle could provide a specific energy of 791.8 Wh kg -1 , superior to most existing cathode materials and catholytes. It can also run in the regenerative mode to recover the lithium metal anode and free bromine with 80-90% voltage efficiency, without any catalysts. Degradation of the solid electrolyte and the evaporation of bromine during deep charging are challenges that should be addressed in improved designs to fully exploit the high specific energy of the liquid bromine. The proposed system offers a potential power source for long-range electric vehicles, beyond current Li-ion batteries yet close to envisioned Li-air batteries. Keywords: high specific energy; solid-state electrolytes; lithium-air batteries; flow batteries; electric vehicles