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Hierarchical carbon-free NiCo2O4 cathode for Li–O2 batteries

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Abstract

Li–oxygen battery provides much higher specific energy density compared to conventional Li–ion batteries, but there is a lack of desired cathodes which show lower over-potential during the charging cycle. Here, we report the effect of surface morphology of carbon-free spinel-like NiCo2O4 nanowires and nanosheets on Ni foam on cathode performance in Li–O2 battery. Two hierarchical structured NiCo2O4 cathodes were synthesized by using a hydrothermal method. Physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties of NiCo2O4 were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, BET surface area, electrochemical AC impedance spectroscopy, and linear sweep voltammetry. Scale-like NiCo2O4 electrode showed the highest specific capacity, compared to that of rod-like morphology, which seems due to a superior catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction, with lower charging over-potential, high discharge capacity, and excellent cycle performance.

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Funding

This study received financial support from the Major Program of Shandong Province, China (No. 2015ZDZX04002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Jiashu Yuan

  2. Department of Applied Chemistry, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai, Weihai, 264200, China

    Jiashu Yuan, Zhihao Liu, Yandi Wen, Huili Hu & Yongming Zhu

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N1N4, Canada

    Venkataraman Thangadurai

Authors
  1. Jiashu Yuan
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  2. Zhihao Liu
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  3. Yandi Wen
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  4. Huili Hu
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  5. Yongming Zhu
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  6. Venkataraman Thangadurai
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yongming Zhu or Venkataraman Thangadurai.

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Yuan, J., Liu, Z., Wen, Y. et al. Hierarchical carbon-free NiCo2O4 cathode for Li–O2 batteries. Ionics 25, 1669–1677 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-018-2656-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-018-2656-6

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