A high-performance oxygen electrode for Li–O2 batteries: Mo2C nanoparticles grown on carbon fibers

Abstract

While lithium–oxygen batteries (LOBs) have the potential to offer energy density far greater than those of existing batteries, their commercialization hinges on the creation of highly reversible and efficient oxygen electrodes. Here we report our findings in our exploration of a binder-free electrode based on Mo₂C nanoparticles grown on carbon cloth (Mo₂C@CC), derived from a facile infiltration and high-temperature etching process. When tested in a Li–O₂ battery, the Mo₂C@CC electrode (with a Mo₂C loading of 0.3 mg cm⁻²) demonstrates excellent rate capability (achieving a discharge capacity of 7646, 9751, and 11 853 mA h g⁻¹ at a rate of 200, 500, and 1000 mA g⁻¹, respectively) while maintaining good cycle stability (for over 700 h at a rate of 500 mA g⁻¹ with a cut-off capacity of 500 mA h g⁻¹). This new electrode architecture opens a promising avenue for the development of high-performance LOBs through optimizing the electrode microstructure.