A Mo₂C/Carbon Nanotube Composite Cathode for Lithium–Oxygen Batteries with High Energy Efficiency and Long Cycle Life

Abstract

Although lithium-oxygen batteries are attracting considerable attention because of the potential for an extremely high energy density, their practical use has been restricted owing to a low energy efficiency and poor cycle life compared to lithium-ion batteries. Here we present a nanostructured cathode based on molybdenum carbide nanoparticles (Mo2C) dispersed on carbon nanotubes, which dramatically increase the electrical efficiency up to 88% with a cycle life of more than 100 cycles. We found that the Mo2C nanoparticle catalysts contribute to the formation of well-dispersed lithium peroxide nanolayers (Li2O2) on the Mo2C/carbon nanotubes with a large contact area during the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This Li2O2 structure can be decomposed at low potential upon the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by avoiding the energy loss associated with the decomposition of the typical Li2O2 discharge products.

Highly-conformal nanocrystalline molybdenum nitride thin films by atomic layer deposition as a diffusion barrier against Cu

“…The crude product was sublimed at 65 C under a reduced pressure of 10 À1 Torr to give yellow microcrystalline material (0.77 g, 74%). 1 was investigated using a SETARAM 92-18 TG-DTA apparatus. The TGA data of the compounds were obtained up to 900 C at a heating rate of 10 C/min under atmospheric pressure with N 2 as a carrier gas.…”

Long life rechargeable Li-O2 batteries enabled by enhanced charge transfer in nanocable-like Fe@N-doped carbon nanotube catalyst

“…So far, great efforts have been devoted to developing the cathode catalyst with high activity and stability for oxygen-involved reactions in Li-O2 batteries [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Peng et al [7] firstly reported the rechargeable Li-O2 batteries by catalyzing the reversible formation/decomposition of the Li2O2 on porous Au catalyst, which makes Li-O2 batteries promising for practical use.…”

Review—Understanding and Mitigating Some of the Key Factors that Limit Non-Aqueous Lithium-Air Battery Performance

“…54 The polarization of the Mo 2 C/CNT cathode was found to be 0.47 V compared to 2.11 V for Mo 2 C powder and 1.10 V for pristine CNTs. As a consequence of the low overpotential, the cell cycle life could be maintained for more than 100 cycles at discharge capacity of 500 mAh/g.…”

“…A recent study 54 has reported on the use of multi-wall carbon nanotubes decorated with well-dispersed molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) (Fig. 7) nanoparticles as a cathode for a Li-air cell.…”