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Title: Discharge Performance of Li-O2 Batteries Using a Multiscale Modeling Approach

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry. C

To study the discharge performance of Li–O2 batteries, we propose a multiscale modeling framework that links models in an upscaling fashion from the nanoscale to mesoscale and finally to the device scale. We have effectively reconstructed the microstructure of a Li–O2 air electrode in silico, conserving the porosity, surface-to-volume ratio, and pore size distribution of the real air electrode structure. The mechanism of rate-dependent morphology of Li2O2 growth is incorporated into the mesoscale model. The correlation between the active-surface-to-volume ratio and averaged Li2O2 concentration is derived to link different scales. The proposed approach’s accuracy is first demonstrated by comparing the predicted discharge curves of Li–O2 batteries with experimental results at the high current density. Next, the validated modeling approach effectively captures the significant improvement in discharge capacity due to the formation of Li2O2 particles. Finally, it predicts the discharge capacities of Li–O2 batteries with different air electrode microstructure designs and operating conditions.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1212229
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-107643; KJ0401000
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry. C, Vol. 119, Issue 27; ISSN 1932-7447
Publisher:
American Chemical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English