Why is Catalysis Important in Lithium Air Batteries?
Catalysis plays a crucial role in improving the performance of lithium-air batteries. The main reactions in these batteries involve the reduction of oxygen to form lithium peroxide during discharge and the oxidation of lithium peroxide back to oxygen during charging. These reactions are sluggish and require efficient catalysts to proceed at practical rates. Without effective catalysts, the batteries suffer from low efficiency, poor cycle life, and high overpotentials.