Fabrication of La2NiO4 nanoparticles as an efficient bifunctional cathode catalyst for rechargeable lithium–oxygen batteries. Issue 21 (11th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, Zhongshan; Cui, Yanhui; Huang, Kevin; Ouyang, Jue; Wu, Junwei; Baker, Andrew P.; Zhang, Xinhe
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 21(2016)
• Page Start: 17430
• Page End: 17437
• Publication Date: 2016-02-11
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra23053e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : LNO nanoparticles synthesized via a hydrothermal process are a promising bifunctional electrocatalyst for Li–O2 batteries. The battery's discharge capacity of 14310.9 mA h g −1 at a current density of 0.16 mA cm −2, is higher than that of Pechini-LNO particles and pure SP. Abstract : Efficient catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are crucial enabling materials for rechargeable Li–O2 batteries. In the present work, La2 NiO4 (LNO) synthesized by a hydrothermal process and modified Pechini method were studied as catalysts for rechargeable Li–O2 batteries. The catalyst prepared by the hydrothermal method shows a smaller particle size and a macroporous structure with 10× higher surface area than that synthesized by the Pechini counterpart, leading to a better electrocatalytic activity. The improved OER catalytic activity of the hydrothermal-LNO nanoparticles was confirmed by a 150 mV lower recharge potential than the Pechini-LNO particles and catalyst-free pure Super P (SP) electrode. In addition, the hydrothermal-LNO catalyzed battery cell delivered a first discharge capacity of 14 310.9 mA h g −1 at 0.16 mA cm −2, compared to 8132.4 mA h g −1 of the Pechini-LNO and 7478.8 mA h g −1 of the pure SP electrode, demonstrating higher catalytic ORR activity of the hydrothermal-LNO particles. Overall, the LNO nanoparticles are a promising cathode catalyst for non-aqueous electrolyte based Li–O2 batteries.