A central question in the development of Li-air fuel cells is the reaction at the cathode and how to avoid the occurrence of autocatalytic self-passivating reactions due to the formation of oxide-peroxide reaction products. The kinetics of O2 reduction will be discussed wih particular
reference to the solid-state environment in the Li-air cell. Recent development in three areas will be presented:
1- Electrocatalysis by alloy nanoparticles (size effects, segregation
energies, O2/H2O2 pathways
2-New materials (graphitic structures, N-doped materials, metal-ion doping)
3-Mechanistic aspects
A final analysis of the research challenges in this type of cells will be
presented.
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