Integrating a redox-coupled dye-sensitized photoelectrode into a lithium–oxygen battery for photoassisted charging

With a high theoretical specific energy, the non-aqueous rechargeable lithium–oxygen battery is a promising next-generation energy storage technique. However, the large charging overpotential remains a challenge due to the difficulty in electrochemically oxidizing the insulating lithium peroxide. Recently, a redox shuttle has been introduced into the electrolyte to chemically oxidize lithium peroxide. Here, we report the use of a triiodide/iodide redox shuttle to couple a built-in dye-sensitized titanium dioxide photoelectrode with the oxygen electrode for the photoassisted charging of a lithium–oxygen battery. On charging under illumination, triiodide ions are generated on the photoelectrode, and subsequently oxidize lithium peroxide. Due to the contribution of the photovoltage, the charging overpotential is greatly reduced. The use of a redox shuttle to couple a photoelectrode and an oxygen electrode offers a unique strategy to address the overpotential issue of non-aqueous lithium–oxygen batteries and also a distinct approach for integrating solar cells and batteries. There is substantial research underway into the development of lithium–oxygen batteries. Here, the authors use a redox shuttle to couple a photoelectrode with the oxygen electrode in a non-aqueous lithium–oxygen battery, which enables the photoassisted charging and reduces the battery overpotental.