Biologically enhanced cathode design for improved capacity and cycle life for lithium-oxygen batteries

摘要

Lithium-oxygen batteries have a great potential to enhance the gravimetric energy density of fully packaged batteries by 2–3 times that of lithium-ion cells. Recent studies have focused on finding stable electrolytes to address poor cycling capability and improve practical limitations of current lithium-oxygen batteries. In this study, the catalyst electrode, where discharge products are deposited and decomposed, was investigated since it plays a critical role in the operation of rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries. Here we report the electrode design principle to improve specific capacity and cycling performance of lithium-oxygen batteries by utilizing high efficiency nanocatalysts assembled by M13 virus with earth abundant elements, such as manganese oxides. By incorporating only 3–5 wt % of palladium nanoparticles in the electrode, this hybrid nanocatalyst achieves 13,350 mAh g⁻¹c (7,340 mAh g⁻¹c+catalyst) of specific capacity at 0.4 A g⁻¹c and a stable cycle life up to 50 cycles (4,000 mAh g⁻¹c, 400 mAh g⁻¹c+catalyst) at 1 A g⁻¹c.