Synergetic Effect of Liquid and Solid Catalysts on the Energy Efficiency of Li-O<sub>2</sub> Batteries: Cell Performances and Operando STEM Observations.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 32078329.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c00357.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
The sluggish cathodic kinetics and lower energy efficiency, associated with solid and insulating discharge products of Li<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, are the key factors that prevent the practical implementation of Li-O<sub>2</sub> batteries (LOBs). Here we demonstrate that the combination of the solid catalyst (RuO<sub>2</sub>) and soluble redox mediator tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) exhibits a synergetic effect in improving the cathodic kinetics and energy efficiency of LOBs by reducing both charge and discharge overpotentials. Operando electron microscopy observations and electrochemical measurements reveal that RuO<sub>2</sub> not only exhibits bifunctional catalysis for Li-O<sub>2</sub> reactions but also benefits the catalytic efficiency of TTF. Meanwhile, TTF plays an important role in activating the Li<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> passivated RuO<sub>2</sub> catalysts and in helping RuO<sub>2</sub> effectively oxidize the discharge products during charging. The synergetic effect of solid and liquid catalysts, beyond traditional bifunctional catalysis, obviously increases the cathodic kinetics and round-trip energy efficiency of LOBs.