Chirality-Induced Suppression of Singlet Oxygen in Lithium–Oxygen Batteries with Extended Cycle Life

Lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂) batteries are perceived as a promising breakthrough in sustainable electrochemical energy storage, utilizing ambient air as an energy source, eliminating the need for costly cathode materials, and offering the highest theoretical energy density (~ 3.5 kWh kg^-1) among discussed candidates. Contributing to the poor cycle life of currently reported Li-O₂ cells is singlet oxygen (¹O₂) formation, inducing parasitic reactions, degrading key components, and severely deteriorating cell performance. Here, we harness the chirality-induced spin selectivity effect of chiral cobalt oxide nanosheets (Co₃O₄ NSs) as cathode materials to suppress ¹O₂ in Li-O₂ batteries for the first time. Operando photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals a 3.7-fold and 3.23-fold reduction in ¹O₂ during discharge and charge, respectively, compared to conventional carbon paper-based cells, consistent with differential electrochemical mass spectrometry results, which indicate a near-theoretical charge-to-O₂ ratio (2.04 e^-/O₂). Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that chirality induces a peak shift near the Fermi level, enhancing Co 3d-O 2p hybridization, stabilizing reaction intermediates, and lowering activation barriers for Li₂O₂ formation and decomposition. These findings establish a new strategy for improving the stability and energy efficiency of sustainable Li-O₂ batteries, abridging the current gap to commercialization.