New semiconductor catalysts let sunlight help "air power generation" new knowledge

Original source: Science and Technology Daily

Science and Technology Daily (Reporter Chen Xi, Correspondent Wu Junhui) "Inhale" oxygen in the air, and discharge it through a simple chemical reaction; when charging, the discharge product is decomposed through a reversible reaction, and oxygen is re-released.

The reporter of Science and Technology Daily learned on April 23 that the team of Li Fujun researcher from the School of Chemistry of Nankai University has obtained a new type of semiconductor catalyst with surface plasmon enhancement effect.

According to reports, "air power generation" is considered to be a promising next-generation battery system, but the high polarization and low energy efficiency of the charge and discharge process caused by the delayed reaction kinetics of the positive electrode have greatly restricted the lithium-oxygen battery.

Light-excited photoelectrons and holes generated by semiconductors can greatly improve the kinetics of electrochemical reactions.

The semiconductor light absorption currently used is mainly concentrated in the ultraviolet region, which only accounts for 4% of the solar spectrum.

"It's like adding a condenser to the lithium-oxygen battery, so that the positive electrode receives more light energy, thereby speeding up the battery reaction.

The improved discharge voltage of the lithium-oxygen battery has increased, which means that during the discharge process, the lithium-oxygen battery can also convert part of the light energy into electrical output; when charging, the light energy is converted into chemical energy and stored in the lithium-oxygen battery.

Li Fujun said that this new breakthrough will be able to directly convert and store light energy in the battery, and will provide a new strategy for solar power generation and storage.