Achieving outstanding Li+-ORR and -OER activities via edge- and corner-embedded bimetallic nanocubes for rechargeable Li-O2 batteries

Abstract

The shape of catalysts has been regarded as a crucial physical factor to determine its catalytic activity in various applications. However, very little is known about the catalyst shape-dependent activities for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in the cathode of Li-O2 battery. Hence, we synthesized Pt3Co nanocube (NC) for the comparison with Pt3Co nanoparticle (NP) by regulating the ratio of reducer (hexadecanediol; HDD) amount. Consequently, we could report on very high capacity (10,000mAh gcarbon -1), superb rate capability (3500mAh gcarbon -1 at 2000mA gcarbon -1) and high reversibility of Lithium-O2 batteries using Pt3Co NC catalysts. Particularly, the Pt3Co NCs catalyst exhibited a low OER potential of 3.1V, providing the highest round trip efficiency of ~86.5% at a current density of 200mA gcarbon -1, which is much superior to NPs catalyst. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd