Issue 31, 2018

Performance-improved Li-O2 batteries by tailoring the phases of MoxC porous nanorods as an efficient cathode

Abstract

Novel nitrogen-doped porous molybdenum carbide (α-MoC1−x and β-Mo2C) architectures were prepared using Mo-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as the precursor. The synthesized molybdenum carbides consist of numerous nanocrystals organized into micro-sized rods with interpenetrating mesoporous-channels and macroporous-tunnels along the axial direction. When employed as the cathode catalyst for Li-O2 batteries, this dual pore configuration offers abundant active sites for the electrochemical reaction and many nucleation sites for the discharge product of Li2O2; hence, decent performances were obtained. Among the two synthesized molybdenum carbides, the α-MoC1−x electrode stands out as being better due to its lower charge transfer resistance (395.8 Ω compared to 627.9 Ω) and better O2 adsorption (binding energy of −1.87 eV of α-(111)-Mo compared to −0.72 eV of β-(101)-Mo). It delivered a high full discharge of 20 212 mA h g−1 with a discharge voltage of 2.62 V at 200 mA g−1. A good cycling stability was also obtained: i.e. 100 stable cycles with a fixed capacity of 1000 mA h g−1 (at a current density of 200 mA g−1) with a charging voltage of 4.24 V and maintaining a respectable round-trip efficiency of ∼70%.

Graphical abstract: Performance-improved Li-O2 batteries by tailoring the phases of MoxC porous nanorods as an efficient cathode

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 5 2018
Accepted
10 7 2018
First published
11 7 2018

Nanoscale, 2018,10, 14877-14884

Performance-improved Li-O2 batteries by tailoring the phases of MoxC porous nanorods as an efficient cathode

H. Yu, K. N. Dinh, Y. Sun, H. Fan, Y. Wang, Y. Jing, S. Li, M. Srinivasan and Q. Yan, Nanoscale, 2018, 10, 14877 DOI: 10.1039/C8NR04319A

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