(320b) Characterizing Metal-Air Batteries Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry

Metal-air batteries have extraordinarily high theoretical specific energy densities and therefore have been explored as potential alternatives to current state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries. However, electronic passivation of the cathode and electrolyte stability have, among other challenges, precluded their use as practical energy storage devices. My tutorial will discuss characterization techniques, namely electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry for gas consumption and evolution analysis, that have been employed to quantitatively understand these limitations and trace their origins. Although this presentation will primarily focus on application of these techniques to metal-air batteries, the discussion will be of interest to anyone studying electronic or ionic transport in porous electrodes or electrochemical systems where a gas is a product, reactant, or both.