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Electronic Structure Engineering of LiCoO 2 toward Enhanced Oxygen Electrocatalysis
Author(s) -
Zheng Xiaobo,
Chen Yaping,
Zheng Xusheng,
Zhao Guoqiang,
Rui Kun,
Li Peng,
Xu Xun,
Cheng Zhenxiang,
Dou Shi Xue,
Sun Wenping
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201803482
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , nanosheet , materials science , oxygen evolution , cobalt , catalysis , cobalt oxide , exfoliation joint , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , oxygen , oxide , electrochemistry , electrode , graphene , chemistry , metallurgy , biochemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Developing low‐cost and efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction is of critical significance to the practical application of some emerging energy storage and conversion devices (e.g., metal–air batteries, water electrolyzers, and fuel cells). Lithium cobalt oxide is a promising nonprecious metal‐based electrocatalyst for oxygen electrocatalysis; its activity, however, is still far from the requirements of practical applications. Here, a new LiCoO 2 ‐based electrocatalyst with nanosheet morphology is developed by a combination of Mg doping and shear force‐assisted exfoliation strategies toward enhanced oxygen reduction and evolution reaction kinetics. It is demonstrated that the coupling effect of Mg doping and the exfoliation can effectively modulate the electronic structure of LiCoO 2 , in which Co 3+ can be partially oxidized to Co 4+ and the Co–O covalency can be enhanced, which is closely associated with the improvement of intrinsic activity. Meanwhile, the unique nanosheet morphology also helps to expose more active Co species. This work offers new insights into deploying the electronic structure engineering strategy for the development of efficient and durable catalysts for energy applications.