title: A Mo2C/Carbon Nanotube Composite Cathode for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries with High Energy Efficiency and Long Cycle Life.
abstract: Although lithium-oxygen batteries are attracting considerable attention because of the potential for an extremely high energy density, their practical use has been restricted owing to a low energy efficiency and poor cycle life compared to lithium-ion batteries. Here we present a nanostructured cathode based on molybdenum carbide nanoparticles (Mo2C) dispersed on carbon nanotubes, which dramatically increase the electrical efficiency up to 88% with a cycle life of more than 100 cycles. We found that the Mo2C nanoparticle catalysts contribute to the formation of well-dispersed lithium peroxide nanolayers (Li2O2) on the Mo2C/carbon nanotubes with a large contact area during the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This Li2O2 structure can be decomposed at low potential upon the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by avoiding the energy loss associated with the decomposition of the typical Li2O2 discharge products.
authors: †Department of Energy Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
authors: Won-Jin
authors: WJ
authors: Kwak
authors: Kah Chun
authors: KC
authors: Lau
authors: †Department of Energy Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
authors: Chang-Dae
authors: CD
authors: Shin
authors: Khalil
authors: K
authors: Amine
authors: Larry A
authors: LA
authors: Curtiss
authors: †Department of Energy Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
authors: Yang-Kook
authors: YK
authors: Sun
keywords: carbon nanotube; lithium oxygen batteries; molybdenum carbide nanoparticles; nanostructures; oxygen evolution reaction