Abstract

Practical lithium–oxygen batteries require a shift from pure O2 to air. CO2 traces, however, fundamentally alter the O2 electrochemistry towards Li2CO3 formation via peroxocarbonate intermediates in highly-solvating electrolytes e.g., tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (G4). Here, we reveal that operating temperatures (0∼70 °C) critically dictate Li2CO3-associated cell overcharges (4.60∼3.77 V), by determining temperature-dependent reaction kinetics and evolving species mobility, as analogously witnessed under pure O2-conditions. Against what is observed for Li2O2 formation in the Li–O2 cell, however, cell temperatures do not govern the crystallinity of the Li2CO3 discharge product. In agreement with experimental observations, comprehensive density functional theory calculations also uncover the effect of the temperature on the Li2CO3 precipitation mechanism and shed light on the dwindling stabilization of metastable peroxocarbonate intermediates during discharge at increasing cycling temperatures. On the other hand, during extended operation, the temperature-dependent reactants mobility in the viscous G4 electrolyte and remnant Li-deficient carbonate surfaces from precedent recharge steps play equally prominent roles on the Li2CO3 precipitation mechanism and the resulting cell capacity. Our study highlights the complexity of practical Li–O2 cells with temperature-dependent performances.