In situ imaging electrocatalytic CO2 reduction and evolution reactions in all-solid-state Li–CO2 nanobatteries. Issue 47 (8th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Tingting; Li, Hui; Chen, Jingzhao; Ye, Hongjun; Yao, Jingming; Su, Yuwei; Guo, Baiyu; Peng, Zhangquan; Shen, Tongde; Tang, Yongfu; Zhang, Liqiang; Huang, Jianyu
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 12:Issue 47(2020)
• Page Start: 23967
• Page End: 23974
• Publication Date: 2020-12-08
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d0nr07066a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : We herein present a real time study of a Li–CO2 battery with a Ni–Ru/MnO2 cathode by using the in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) technique. Abstract : Li–CO2 batteries are promising energy storage devices owing to their high energy density and possible applications for CO2 capture. However, still some critical issues, such as high charging overpotential and poor cycling stability caused by the sluggish decomposition of Li2 CO3 discharge products, need to be addressed before the practical applications of Li–CO2 batteries. Exploring highly efficient catalysts and understanding their catalytic mechanisms for the CO2 reduction reaction (CORR) and evolution reaction (COER) are critical for the application of Li–CO2 batteries. However, the direct imaging of electrocatalysis during CORR and COER is still elusive. Herein, we report the in situ imaging of electrocatalysis during CORR and COER in a Li–CO2 nanobattery using a Ni–Ru-coated α-MnO2 nanowire (Ni–Ru/MnO2 ) cathode in an advanced aberration corrected environmental transmission electron microscope. During the CORR, a thick Li2 CO3 and carbon mixture layer was formed on the surface of the Ni–Ru/MnO2 nanowires via 4Li + + 3CO2 + 4e − → 2Li2 CO3 + C. During the COER, the as-formed Li2 CO3 decomposed via 2Li2 CO3 → 2CO2 + O2 + 4Li + + 4e −, while the as-formed amorphous carbon remained. In contrast, the decomposition of Li2 CO3 on bare MnO2 nanowires was difficult, underscoring the important Ni–Ru bimetal electrocatalytic role in facilitating the COER. Our results provide an important understanding of the CO2 chemistry in Li–CO2 batteries, possibly helping in the designing of Li–CO2 batteries for energy storage applications.