Organogermanium Nanowire Cathodes for Efficient Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

Abstract

We report a technique for effectively neutralizing the generation of harmful superoxide species, the source of parasitic reactions, in lithium-oxygen batteries to generate stable substances. In organic electrolytes, organogermanium (Propa-germanium, Ge-132) nanowires can suppress solvated superoxide and induce strong surface-adsorption reaction due to their high anti-superoxide disproportionation activity. Resultantly, the effect of organogermanium nanowires mitigate toxic oxidative stress to stabilize organic electrolytes and promote good Li2O2 growth. These factors led to long duration of the electrolytes and impressive rechargeability of lithium-oxygen batteries.