Novel and highly efficient catalyst for Li–O2 battery: Porous LaCo0.6Ni0.4O3 nanofibers decorated with ultrafine Co3O4 nanoparticles

• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137235
• Publication Date: 2020-10-09T04:25:18Z
• Authors: Mingjie Sun; Shuai Guo; Ziling Wang; Lu Zou; Bo Chi; Jian Pu; Jian Li
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy

Abstract It is crucial to design effective cathode catalysts for high performance of Li–O2 batteries (LOBs). Herein, porous LaCo0.6Ni0.4O3 nanofibers decorated with ultrafine Co3O4 nanoparticles (Co3O4@LCN NFs) are designed and employed as cathode catalyst for LOBs. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement results suggested that uniform dispreading of Co3O4 nanoparticles on LCN NFs surface could largely increase the surface chemisorbed oxygen, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity. Furthermore, with the assistance of Co3O4 nanoparticles, Co3O4@LCN NFs can significantly facilitate O2 adsorption and diffusion, Li2O2 nucleation/decomposition and the formation of tiny sheet-like Li2O2, thereby achieving a low charge overpotential. A high specific capacity of 11,288 mA h g−1, a low charge voltage plateau of 3.72 V at first cycle and excellent cycle stability of 116 cycles at 1000 mA g−1 are obtained for LOBs with Co3O4@LCN NFs.