Catalytic Activity Trends of Oxygen Reduction Reaction for Nonaqueous Li-Air Batteries

We report the intrinsic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of polycrystalline palladium, platinum, ruthenium, gold, and glassy carbon surfaces in 0.1 M LiClO4 1,2-dimethoxyethane via rotating disk electrode measurements. The nonaqueous Li+-ORR activity of these surfaces primarily correlates to oxygen adsorption energy, forming a volcano-type trend. The activity trend found on the polycrystalline surfaces was in good agreement with the trend in the discharge voltage of Li-O-2 cells catalyzed by nanoparticle catalysts. Our findings provide insights into Li+-ORR mechanisms in nonaqueous media and design of efficient air electrodes for Li-air battery applications.