Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as cathode for lithium–air batteries

Abstract

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) were synthesized by a floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) method. Various techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy revealed the morphology and structure of CNTs and N-CNTs as well confirmed the existence of incorporated nitrogen (10.2at.%) in N-CNTs. N-CNTs were investigated as cathode material for lithium–air batteries and exhibited a specific discharge capacity of 866mAhg−1, which was about 1.5 times as that of CNTs. Our results indicated that the N-CNTs electrode showed high electrocatalytic activities for the cathode reaction thus improving the lithium–air battery performance.