CHAPTER 13: Characterising Non-aqueous Metal–Air Batteries Using NMR Spectroscopy

Non-aqueous metal–air batteries have garnered considerable research interest in the past decade due to their high theoretical energy densities, where they utilize Li/Na/K metal (the negative electrode) and O₂ from the air (the positive electrode) as the energy storage materials. Obtaining a fundamental understanding of the battery electrochemistry is pivotal to identifying the bottlenecks and discovering routes forward for these technologies. In this regard, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an indispensable and effective characterisation tool to study metal–air batteries. In this chapter, we first introduce the reaction characteristics of the battery and outline some of the key scientific questions associated with its chemistry. We then specify the technical procedures and precautions of relevant NMR experiments, and exemplify how NMR provides insights into the mechanistic details of the battery reactions.