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Lithium-air batteries (LABs), a high-energy-density battery technology beyond lithium-ion batteries, suffer from low power output that virtually limits their operation to high concentration O2 atmospheres. The localized oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the gas surface of air-electrode passivates the electrode, prematurely stopping power generation in an atmosphere with air O2. Herein, we have developed a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based air-electrode combined with a carbon pater (CP) gas diffusion layer (GDL), denoted CNT-with-CP. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and mercury porosimeter analyses revealed a hierarchical pore architecture formed between the CNT/CP layers. This architecture is characterized by continuous pore distribution between the nanopores of CNT layer and micrometer-sized voids of CP. This pore structure allows for consecutive O2 inhalation without passivating the gas surface of the air-electrode, enabling high-rate discharge even under atmospheric O2 environment. Multiple stacks of CNT-with-CP cathodes and lithium foil anodes produced a lightweight Ah-class LAB that operates under atmospheric O2 condition. This battery delivered 1.6 Ah capacity at a current rate of 0.1 A, corresponding to an energy density of 750 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 48 W kg-1. This is the first case study demonstrating a “true” LAB working by atmospheric O2 to provide feasible power output.

Rights:

• Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 International
  

Keyword: lithium−air battery, air-electrode, hierarchical pore architecture, carbon nanotube, carbon paper, gas diffusion layer, high energy density, high power density, oxygen reduction reaction

Date published: 2026-12-31

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Journal:

• Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (ISSN: 14686996) vol. 27 issue. 1 2658329

Funding:

• JST Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-Driven Research and Development JPMJTM22AQ
• JSPS KAKENHI 17K18346
• JSPS KAKENHI 24K08154

Manuscript type: Publisher's version (Version of record)

MDR DOI:

First published URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2026.2658329

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Updated at: 2026-05-12 13:03:25 +0900

Published on MDR: 2026-05-12 14:27:15 +0900