Metal oxide-based compounds cathode

Ohgi Y, Ishihara A, Matsuzawa K, Mitsushima S, Ota K (2010) Zirconium oxide-based compound as new cathode without platinum group metals for PEFC. J Electrochem Soc 157 B885-B891... 

The early patent disclosures have claimed the application of a wide spectrum of gas-evolving ingredients and phosphorus-based organic molecules as flame retarding additives in the electrolytes. Pyrocarbonates and phosphate esters were typical examples of such compounds. The former have a strong tendency to release CO2, which hopefully could serve as both flame suppressant and SEI formation additive, while the latter represent the major candidates that have been well-known to the polymer material and fireproofing industries.The electrochemical properties of these flame retardants in lithium ion environments were not described in these disclosures, but a close correlation was established between the low flammability and low reactivity toward metallic lithium electrodes for some of these compounds. Further research published later confirmed that any reduction of flammability almost always leads to an improvement in thermal stability on a graphitic anode or metal oxide cathode. 

Normally, the kinetics of ORR and OER occurring at the cathode of fuel cells, including direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is very slow. In order to speed up the ORR kinetics to reach a practical usable level in a fuel cell, ORR catalyst is needed at the air cathode. Platinum (Pt)-based materials are the most practical catalysts used in PEM technology. These Pt-based catalysts are too expensive to make fuel cells commercially viable, and hence extensive research over the past several decades has been focused on development of alternative catalysts. These alternative electrocatalysts include noble metals and allo37S, carbon materials, quinone and its derivatives, transition metal macrocyclic compounds, transition metal chalcogenides, transition metal carbides and transition metal oxides. In this chapter, we focus on both noble and nonnoble electrocatalysts being used in air cathodes and the kinetics and mechanisms O2 reduction/oxidation reaction (both ORR and OER), catal37zed by them. 

Lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) is a relatively new technology being promoted by the Canadian Avestor Limited Partnership based in Boucherville, Quebec, for telecommunications applications. Avestor s LMP cell is built up from four elements. An ultra-thin metallic lithium foil anode combines the roles of lithium source and current collector. The solid polymeric electrolyte is made by dissolving a lithium salt in an appropriate co-polymer. The metallic oxide cathode is based on a reversible intercalation compound of vanadium oxide, blended with a lithium salt and a polymer to produce a plastic composite. Finally, an aluminium foil forms the current collector. Avestor cells can operate within the temperature range -40 °C to +65 °C. 

To improve the safety of secondary lithium batteries, the metallic lithium is replaced by another intercalation compound such as graphite. In addition, the cathode would contain ionic lithium in its structure, which is intercalated in the anode or the cathode depending on the direction of the current. Lithium-ion cells are the most advanced batteries now in the market. These cells supply up to 4 volts, have an energy density close to 120 Wh/kg, and have a long life at room temperature. The technology is based on the use of appropriate lithium intercalation compounds as electrodes. Normally a lithium transition metal oxide is used as the cathode and carbonaceous materials serve as the anode. 

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