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Carbon Nanotubes/Carbon Fiber Paper Supported MnO 2 Cathode Catalyst for Li−Air Batteries
Author(s) -
Hu SiJiang,
Fan XiaoPing,
Chen Jing,
Peng JiMing,
Wang HongQiang,
Huang YouGuo,
Li QingYu
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201700582
Subject(s) - carbon nanotube , materials science , cathode , catalysis , electrochemistry , nanotechnology , nanoporous , carbon fibers , lithium (medication) , electrode , chemical engineering , fiber , composite material , chemistry , composite number , medicine , biochemistry , endocrinology , engineering
Lithium−air batteries (LABs) are considered one of the most promising energy conversion systems for delivering large specific energy. However, practical applications still face major challenges, including poor rate capability, short cycle life, and low round‐trip efficiencies. Here, we report a novel strategy to improve the catalytic activity of MnO 2 through the combination of 3D MnO 2 and carbon nanotubes/carbon fiber paper (CNTs/CFP) with a binder‐free structure. Side reactions related to the binder are precluded in this design. The presence of CNTs not only promotes the formation of a 3D structure of the air electrode, but directs the uniform deposition of MnO 2 . When applied as a cathode in LABs, the as‐prepared MnO 2 /CNTs/CFP electrode achieves comparable specific capacity (with a discharge capacity of 8723.5 mAh g −1( CNTs + MnO 2 )at 100 mA g −1 ). The encouraging electrochemical performance is found to benefit from free‐standing nanoporous structures, which provide more active sites for enabling oxygen reduction. It is also attributed to the decreased side reactions.