Li‐N 2 Batteries: A Reversible Energy Storage System?

Tremendous energy consumption is required for traditional artificial N 2 fixation, leading to additional environmental pollution. Recently, new Li‐N 2 batteries have inextricably integrated energy storage with N 2 fixation. In this work, graphene is introduced into Li‐N 2 batteries and enhances the cycling stability. However, the instability and hygroscopicity of the discharge product Li 3 N lead to a rechargeable but irreversible system. Moreover, strong nonpolar N≡N covalent triple bonds with high ionization energies also cause low efficiency and irreversibility of Li‐N 2 batteries. In contrast, the modification with in situ generated Li 3 N and LiOH restrained the loss and volume change of Li metal anodes during stripping and plating, thereby promoting the rechargeability of the Li‐N 2 batteries. The mechanistic study here will assist in the design of more stable Li‐N 2 batteries and create more versatile methods for N 2 fixation.