π‐Conjugation Induced Anchoring of Ferrocene on Graphdiyne Enable Shuttle‐Free Redox Mediation in Lithium‐Oxygen Batteries

Abstract

Soluble redox mediators (RMs), an alternative to conventional solid catalysts, have been considered an effective countermeasure to ameliorate sluggish kinetics in the cathode of a lithium–oxygen battery recently. Nevertheless, the high mobility of RMs leads to serious redox shuttling, which induces an undesired lithium‐metal degeneration and RM decomposition during trade‐off catalysis against the sustainable operation of batteries. Here, a novel carbon family of graphdiyne matrix is first proposed to decouple the charge‐carrying redox property of ferrocene and the shuttle effects. It is demonstrated that a ferrocene‐anchored graphdiyne framework can function as stationary RM, not only preserving the redox‐mediating capability of ferrocene, but also promoting the local orientated three‐dimensional (3D) growth of Li2O2. As a result, the RM‐assisted catalysis in lithium–oxygen battery remains of remarkable efficiency and stability without the depletion of oxidized RMs or lithium degradation, resulting in a significantly enhanced electrochemical performance.