Enhanced electrochemical performance of Li–O2 battery based on modifying the solid-state air cathode with Pd catalyst

Abstract

Pd nanoparticles were deposited onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via a simple wet chemical method and were employed to fabricate a highly efficient cathode for a Li–O₂ battery using a solid-state air cathode. The results demonstrate that the introduced Pd catalyst showed promising catalytic activity, making the battery exhibit improved rate ability and excellent cycling performance. The fabricated CNTs@Pd electrode tended to induce the poorly crystalline Li₂O₂ to form preferentially in the solid-state air cathode, which could be decomposed at a lower potential in comparison to the Pd-free electrode. The Li–O₂ battery using a solid-state CNTs@Pd electrode exhibited a long cycle life up to 50 cycles without capacity fading (capacity limit of 500 mA h g⁻¹). The unique architecture of the CNTs@Pd electrode minimised the side reactions relating to carbon and the discharge product. Our results provide a snapshot toward developing a high performance solid-state Li–O₂ battery.