Abstract
Using UV-vis spectroscopy in conjunction with various electrochemical techniques, we have developed a new effective operando methodology for investigating the oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) and their mechanisms in nonaqueous solutions. We can follow the in situ formation and presence of superoxide moieties during ORR as a function of solvent, cations, anions, and additives in the solution. Thus, using operando UV-vis spectroscopy, we found evidence for the formation of superoxide radical anions during oxygen reduction in LiTFSI/diglyme electrolyte solutions. Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) was used to indicate the presence of superoxide moieties based on its unique spectral response. Indeed, the spectral response of NBT containing solutions undergoing ORR could provide a direct indication for the level of association of the Li cations with the electrolyte anions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 10860-10869 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 4 Apr 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018 American Chemical Society.
Funding
A.A.F. thanks the Israel Science Foundation (ISF; Grant No. 1469/13) as well as the Ethel and David Resnick Chair in Active Oxygen Chemistry for their kind and generous support. Partial support for this work was obtained by Israel Prime Minister office and the Israel Committee of High Education in the framework of the INREP project.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Israel Science Foundation | 1469/13 |
Keywords
- Li-polymer batteries
- LiTFSI/diglyme electrolyte solutions
- UV-vis spectroscopy
- cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves
- oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs)