Advances in Lithium-Containing Anodes of Aprotic Li-O₂Batteries: Challenges and Strategies for Improvements

Lithium metal for rechargeable aprotic Li–O2 batteries is considered one of the most fascinating anode materials that can deliver high theoretical specific capacity, low density, and low negative electrochemical potential. Although lithium-metal anodes have been studied extensively for decades, the cycling performance of rechargeable aprotic Li–O2 batteries based on lithium-metal anodes is rather poor because of the unresolved security issues related to lithium dendrites and contaminant (O2, H2O) crossover from cathode to anode. Here, the critical issues and challenges facing lithium-containing anodes associated with the security, stability, and efficiency are analyzed. Moreover, the latest research progress and strategies used to improve the performance of aprotic Li–O2 batteries based on lithium-containing anode are reviewed. Perspectives toward the development of highly stable lithium-containing anodes are also presented.