Abstract
The development of catalysts with high catalytic activity is needed to improve the sluggish reaction kinetics in Li-O<inf>2</inf> batteries. In this study, nano-sized alloy particles derived from metal precursors were employed as a bimetallic catalyst in a Li-O<inf>2</inf> cell, with their high activity and uniform distribution serving to enhance energy efficiency, cycle life, and capacity retention. A cell fabricated with a palladium-cobalt/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Pd<inf>3</inf>Co/MWCNTs) electrode was able to stably reach 70 cycles, whereas cells with MnO<inf>2</inf>/KB and KB electrodes lasted only 17 and 10 cycles, respectively. During the first charging cycle, the cell with a Pd3Co catalyst exhibited a 200 mV lower overpotential than the cell with a MnO<inf>2</inf>/KB electrode, and a 490 mV lower overpotential than when a KB electrode was used. The Pd3Co/MWCNTs cell also demonstrated superior capacity retention of ∼94.5% (5<sup>th</sup> cycle) and ∼88.7% (20<sup>th</sup> cycle), with impedance analysis revealing an enhanced reversibility that confirms the improvement in cycle performance.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | A2236-A2244 |
| Journal | Journal of the Electrochemical Society |
| Volume | 162 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electrochemistry
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Materials Chemistry
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Condensed Matter Physics