Development of LiFePO4/FePO4 Electrode for Electro-Osmotic Pump using Li+ Migration

Olivine structure of $LiFePO_4$ (LFP) is one of the most commonly used materials in aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries (ARLBs), and can store and release charge through the insertion/de-insertion of $Li^+$ between LFP and FP. We have fabricated LFP and LFP/FP electrodes on titanium paper and studied their electrochemical properties in 2 M $Li_2SO_4$. The LFP/FP electrode was determined to be a suitable electrode for electo-ostmotic pump (EOP) in terms of efficiency in water and 0.5 mM $Li_2SO_4$ solution. Experiments to determine the effect of cations and anions on the performance of EOP using LFP/FP electrode have shown that $Li^+$ is the best cation and that the anion does not significantly affect the performance of the EOP. As the concentration of $Li_2SO_4$ solution was increased, the current increased. The flow rate peaked at $4.8{\mu}L/30s$ in 1.0 mM $Li_2SO_4$ solution and then decreased. When the EOP was tested continuously in 1.0 mM $Li_2SO_4$ solution, the EOP transported approximately 35 mL of fluid while maintaining a stable flow rate and current for 144 h.