Lithium-oxygen batteries offer remarkably high energy density compared to current lithium-ion batteries. The key to their electrochemical performance lies in the processes occurring at the air cathode. However, the complexity of these reactions, coupled with the by-products generated during discharge, can make the reaction process slow or impede their efficiency. This study evaluates the environmental impact of high-efficiency lithium-oxygen batteries cathodes, including titanium oxide composites, graphene-based composites and activated carbon-based composites, through a life cycle assessment across 18 impact categories using a cradle-to-gate approach with a functional unit of 25 kWh. Results show that active material production was the largest contributor to environmental impact, particularly Global Warming Potential. Among the evaluated cathodes, reduced graphene oxide/α-mnaganese oxide/palladium (rGO/α-MnO₂/Pd) demonstrated the highest environmental impact, with a global warming potential of 1130.71 kg carbon dioxide from active material production, due to its energy-intensive synthesis and the use of chemicals like sulfuric acid, sodium borohydride, hydrochloric acid, and hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, the rGO/α-MnO₂/Pd cathode had the highest Human Toxicity Potential and Ozone Depletion Potential. Batteries with graphene-based cathodes achieved a specific capacity of 7500 mAh.g⁻¹, underscoring their performance potential while highlighting the need for more sustainable cathode manufacturing methods. These findings emphasize the environmental considerations necessary for large-scale lithium-oxygen batteries implementation.

中文翻译：

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调查锂氧电池阴极生产对环境的影响：与氧阴极制造相关的影响的综合评估


与目前的锂离子电池相比，锂氧电池具有非常高的能量密度。其电化学性能的关键在于空气阴极处发生的过程。然而，这些反应的复杂性，加上排放过程中产生的副产物，会使反应过程变慢或阻碍其效率。本研究通过使用功能单元为 25 kWh 的摇篮到大门方法，对 18 个影响类别进行生命周期评估，评估高效锂氧电池阴极（包括氧化钛复合材料、石墨烯基复合材料和活性炭基复合材料）的环境影响。结果表明，活性材料生产是造成环境影响的最大因素，尤其是全球变暖潜能值。在评估的阴极中，还原氧化石墨烯/α-锰氧化物/钯 （rGO/α-MnO₂/Pd） 对环境的影响最大，由于其能源密集型合成和使用硫酸、硼氢化钠、盐酸和过氧化氢等化学物质，活性材料生产产生的全球变暖潜能值为 1130.71 千克二氧化碳。此外，rGO/α-MnO₂/Pd 阴极具有最高的人类毒性潜力和臭氧消耗潜力。带有石墨烯基阴极的电池实现了 7500 mAh.g⁻¹ 的比容量，强调了它们的性能潜力，同时强调了对更可持续的阴极制造方法的需求。这些发现强调了大规模实施锂氧电池所需的环境考虑因素。