Exploration on the possibility of Ni foam as current collector in rechargeable lithium-air batteries

The electrochemically interfacial stability between Ni foam and organic electrolyte is studied under Ar and O 2 atmospheres, respectively. The potential of Ni foam cycled under Ar atmosphere does not reach 3.8   V vs. Li/Li + , and is finally stabilized at ∼3.4   V vs. Li/Li + . This phenomenon is the result of the electrolyte's continuous decomposition, which produces a thick layer of particles (0.8–1.2   μm) covered on Ni foam surface. Ni foam under O 2 atmosphere can be successfully cycled between 2.0 and 4.5   V vs. Li/Li + although there exist some precipitations on the surface, which originate from the electrolyte decomposition occurring at 4.2   V vs. Li/Li + in the initial charge. For the cycling between 2.0 and 4.0   V vs. Li/Li + , Ni foam surface almost keeps intact. Our results reveal that O 2 atmosphere significantly improves the electrochemical stability between Ni foam and electrolyte and thus enables Ni foam to work as current collector in rechargeable lithium-air battery .