Porous Perovskite La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.8Mn_0.2O₃ Nanofibers Loaded with RuO₂ Nanosheets as an Efficient and Durable Bifunctional Catalyst for Rechargeable Li–O₂ Batteries

Abstract

The design and synthesis of efficient electrocatalysts are important for electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies. Poor electrocatalytic activities of the cathode catalysts toward both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are still two major challenges facing Li–O2 batteries. Here, we report ultralong porous perovskite La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Mn0.2O3 nanofibers (LSCM NFs) loaded with RuO2 nanosheets (RuO2@LSCM NFs) used as a promising catalyst for Li–O2 batteries. The LSCM nanofibers were synthesized via an electrospinning technique followed by heat treatment. RuO2 nanosheets were loaded by a wet impregnation method. In comparison with that of the pristine LSCM NFs, the cell with RuO2@LSCM NFs catalyst exhibits good performances toward the ORR and OER with a higher specific discharge capacity (12741.7 mA h g–1), improved cyclability, and rate capability as well as low voltage gap. Moreover, the results of LSV indicate that LSCM NFs can efficiently catalyze the decomposition of the reaction side product Li2CO3 while RuO2@LSCM NFs are capable of decomposing LiOH. The enhanced cell performances are attributed to the merits of high catalytic activity and the porous structure of the RuO2@LSCM NF catalyst.

Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Metal-Air Batteries: Interactions between O2, Zn2+ and H2O Impurities

“…Finally we would like to note that it is well known that GC is not a good catalyst for the ORR in aqueous electrolytes, since the activity is low and mostly H 2 O 2 is formed instead of water. 53 Therefore, better catalysts such as Pt or metal oxides [54][55][56] or even nanofiber materials, [57][58][59] are needed and used for Zn-air batteries. In non-aqueous electrolytes, the role of the electrocatalyst on the reaction mechanism is less understood.…”

Oxygen vacancies promoting the electrocatalytic performance of CeO2nanorods as cathode materials for Li–O2batteries

“…6,7 During the discharge process, the surface of the cathode can be continuously covered by the insoluble Li2O2 films, which can induce the low electronical conductivity and thus enhance the decomposition energy barrier of the Li2O2 films, leading to the high overpotential and poor cyclability. To tackle this problem, a lot of efforts have been paid to explore catalytic materials possessing outstanding electro-catalytic activity to improve the electrochemical reactions, such as precious metals 8,9 , metal alloys 10,11 , metal oxides [12][13][14] , porous carbon [15][16][17] and metal carbide 18,19 . Transition-metal oxides (TMOs, including TiO2, Co3O4, MnO2, etc.)…”

Recent Advances in Novel Nanostructuring Methods of Perovskite Electrocatalysts for Energy‐Related Applications

“…Electrospinning is regarded as a simple, low‐cost, and versatile technique capable of fabricating 1D nanostructures with controllable composition and morphology. Recent years have seen a veritable explosion of research activity targeting the synthesis of 1D perovskite structures, such as nanotubes, nanofibers, and nanorods . A common setup for electrospinning is shown in Figure a, which is composed of a high‐voltage power supply, a syringe with a metallic needle, and a grounded conductive collector.…”