Realizing Formation and Decomposition of Li

Summary The rapid and effective formation and decomposition of Li2O2 during cycling is crucial to solve the problems associated with the practical limitation of lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries. In this work, a highly dispersed electrocatalyst with Ru nanoclusters inside the special organic molecular cage (RuNCs@RCC3) through a reverse double-solvent method for Li-O2 batteries has been proposed for the first time. This RuNCs@RCC3 shows an effective catalyst enabling reversible formation and decomposition of the Li2O2 at the interface between the Li2O2 and the liquid electrolyte, rather than the sluggish solid-solid interface reactions on commonly used solid catalysts. As a result, the Li-O2 cells with RuNCs@RCC3 show enhanced electrochemical performance, including low overpotential (310 mV at a current density of 100 mA g−1), high specific capacity (15,068 mAh g−1), good rate capability (1,800 mAh g−1 at a current density of 2.8 A g−1), and especially superior cycle stability up to 470 cycles.
Graphical Abstract
Highlights • A novel highly dispersed electrocatalyst RuNCs@RCC3 for Li-O2 batteries was designed • Rapid formation and decomposition of large Li2O2 on its own surface • Excellent electrochemical performance of RuNCs@RCC3 in Li-O2 batteries • Superior stability and durability of RuNCs@RCC3 in Li-O2 batteries
Electrochemistry; Energy Storage; Energy Materials