Premium
One‐ or Two‐Electron Transfer? The Ambiguous Nature of the Discharge Products in Sodium–Oxygen Batteries
Author(s) -
Bender Conrad L.,
Schröder Daniel,
Pinedo Ricardo,
Adelhelm Philipp,
Janek Jürgen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201510856
Subject(s) - lithium (medication) , oxygen , aqueous solution , chemistry , sodium , electron transfer , superoxide , hydrogen peroxide , electron , proton , nanotechnology , photochemistry , materials science , biochemistry , organic chemistry , physics , psychology , psychiatry , quantum mechanics , enzyme
Rechargeable lithium–oxygen and sodium–oxygen cells have been considered as challenging concepts for next‐generation batteries, both scientifically and technologically. Whereas in the case of non‐aqueous Li/O 2 batteries, the occurring cell reaction has been unequivocally determined (Li 2 O 2 formation), the situation is much less clear in the case of non‐aqueous Na/O 2 cells. Two discharge products, with almost equal free enthalpies of formation but different numbers of transferred electrons and completely different kinetics, appear to compete, namely NaO 2 and Na 2 O 2 . Cells forming either the superoxide or the peroxide have been reported, but it is unclear how the cell reaction can be influenced for selective one‐ or two‐electron transfer to occur. In this Minireview, we summarize available data, discuss important control parameters, and offer perspectives for further research. Water and proton sources appear to play major roles.