Photo‐Assisted Lithium–Oxygen Batteries: Mechanisms, Materials, and Perspectives

Photo-assisted lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂) batteries represent a promising avenue for next-generation energy storage, leveraging the unique advantages of light to address the sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. By integrating photocatalysts into the battery architecture, these systems harness solar energy to reduce overpotentials and enhance energy efficiency. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms underlying photo-assisted Li-O₂ batteries, with a particular focus on the rational design and development of advanced photocathodes. Recent advancements in battery configurations, anodes, and electrolytes are summarized. Key challenges are critically analyzed, along with emerging solutions for fully unlocking the potential of photo-assisted Li-O₂ batteries. Finally, future research directions are outlined, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary efforts to accelerate the development of photo-assisted Li-O₂ batteries toward real application.