Hierarchical porous nitrogen doped three-dimensional graphene as a free-standing cathode for rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries. (10th February 2016) - He, Mu
Highlights: A method is developed for efficient nitrogen doping and improved porous structure. Nitrogen doped three-dimensional graphene is first applied in lithium oxygen cell. This electrode exhibits hierarchical porous structure and high catalytic activity. The free-standing cathode shows high specific capacity and good cycling stability. Abstract: Nitrogen doped three-dimensional graphene (N-3DG) with improved catalytic activities and optimized pore structure is prepared through facile hydrothermal and subsequent annealing processes. When employed as a novel free-standing cathode for Li-O2 batteries, its special three-dimensional structure with increased active sites, large pore volume and numerous available macropores and mesopores effectively facilitates the discharge products deposition, oxygen diffusion and electrolyte infiltration. Compared with pristine three-dimensional graphene (3DG), N-3DG delivers a higher specific capacity of 7300 mAh g −1 at the current density of 50 mA g −1 and better cycling stability.