Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Li-air batteries offer ultrahigh theoretical energy density surpassing Li-ion, but face practical hurdles like electrolyte instability and poor cycling. • Innovative strategies including electrolyte stabilization, electrode modification, and interfacial engineering are being developed to overcome these challenges. • Progress suggests that practical LABs could achieve energy density comparable to gasoline, potentially revolutionizing electric transportation. • The review outlines targeted research directions to resolve remaining obstacles in LAB technology.
Abstract
The energy production system must be completely transformed to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and advanced battery technologies will play a pivotal role in helping downstream sectors transition to sustainable energy sources. Li-air batteries (LABs) provide a fascinating “beyond Li-ion” option because of their ultrahigh theoretical energy density, which far surpasses conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, LABs face significant hurdles in practical implementation, including electrolyte instability, irreversible electrodes, poor cycling performance, and low-rate capability. This review provides a detailed analysis of recent progress in LAB systems, highlighting innovative approaches such as electrolyte stabilization, electrode modification, and interfacial engineering to address these challenges. It evaluates current strategies for overcoming these problems and outlines targeted research directions aimed at resolving the remaining obstacles in LAB technology. The progress made so far indicates a way to realize practical LABs with a specific energy density potentially comparable to gasoline, which could revolutionize electric transportation.
1. Introduction
The increasing consumption of fossil fuels has significantly impacted the ecosystem of the entire globe, resulting in exacerbated greenhouse effect, poor air quality, ozone layer depletion and ocean level elevation[1–2]. In recent years, there has been significant investment in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy to address environmental issues. However, the imbalanced energy distribution in time and space leads to ineffective utilization of clean energy sources, and still remains a challenging issue to overcome[3]. At the 26th Conference of the Parties, governments affirmed their commitment to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) landmark objective of reaching net zero emissions by the year 2050[4–5].
The shift towards renewable and low carbon emission electricity sources is a crucial strategy for rebuilding global energy supply and achieving net zero emissions, as electricity has become an outstanding area sector in the energy system. The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that the power sector accounted for 36% of all energy-related CO2 emissions in 2020[6–7]. It is estimated that the electricity demand will increase to 42 000 TWh by 2050, highlighting the necessity for reliable electrical energy storage systems[8].
Electrochemical energy storage technologies offer high flexibility and compatibility, making them a preferred choice for the energy market. Therefore, it is of urgent need to develop novel energy devices for a sustainable society. Over the past two decades, research has shifted towards electrochemical energy production and storage techniques such as supercapacitors, fuel cells, and rechargeable batteries[9]. Rechargeable batteries effectively address energy storage and release issues by reducing power grid pressure by storing energy at peaks and releasing it at troughs[10]. Recently, a new generation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries has emerged as an intriguing new energy source for modern electronics and transportation. However, despite recent advancements, the specific power and energy densities of lithium-ion batteries are still lower than that desired for long-range electric vehicles. While some advanced Li-ion batteries (e.g., LiFePO4 at ～200 Wh/kg, Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese at 200–300 Wh/kg) are used in Electric vehicles, there is a growing need for even higher energy densities to extend range and reduce battery weight[11]. The development of metal air batteries (MABs) has been based on the deficiencies in lithium-ion batteries and continuous research and development of rechargeable batteries, which have led to the development of Li-air batteries.
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Humaira Rashid Khan, Abdul Latif Ahmad, Asim Ali Yaqoob (2025). Current problems in Li-air batteries and ways to solve them. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2025-5-4)
Research & Educational Purpose Only:The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoTechIntel are intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are Li-air batteries?
Li-air batteries (LABs) are a type of metal-air battery that use lithium as the anode and oxygen from the air as the cathode. They are known for their ultrahigh theoretical energy density, which is significantly higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
What are the main challenges facing Li-air batteries?
The main challenges include electrolyte instability, irreversible electrodes, poor cycling performance, and low-rate capability. These issues hinder their practical implementation.
How can these challenges be overcome?
Recent research focuses on electrolyte stabilization, electrode modification, and interfacial engineering. These strategies aim to improve stability, reversibility, and overall performance of LABs.
What is the potential impact of Li-air batteries?
If successfully developed, LABs could achieve a specific energy density comparable to gasoline, potentially revolutionizing electric transportation by providing longer range and lighter batteries.
What is the significance of this review?
This review provides a detailed analysis of recent progress in LAB systems, evaluates current strategies, and outlines targeted research directions to resolve remaining obstacles, guiding future research in this field.
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