Abstract
The slow kinetics of the CO2 reduction and evolution reactions in the Li-CO2 battery result in a high overpotential, low energy efficiency and undesired life. Exploring the durable electrocatalysts with high activity for CO2 reduction and evolution processes in aprotic Li-CO2 batteries is of great significance for CO2 capture and utilization. Herein, single-atom copper uniformly anchored on nitrogen-doped graphene (SA-Cu-NG) was demonstrated as a durable catalyst for the rechargeable Li-CO2 battery. The resulting Li-CO2 battery shows a remarkable specific capacity of 29033 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, an ultra-long life up to 538 cycles (over 2730 h), and a low overpotential of 1.47 V (1000 mA g−1), outperforming the reported Li-CO2 batteries. The X-ray absorption fine structure analysis of SA-Cu-NG unravels that the covalent effect between Cu and N, which exists in the form of Cu-N4 in nitrogen-doped graphene. Further, it is theoretically elucidated that the covalent effect of Cu-N4 leads to the reconfiguration of the charge density difference on nitrogen-doped graphene, thereby improving the adsorption of CO2 and weakening the decomposition barrier of the discharge products on the surface single-atom copper, thus optimizing the nucleation decomposition process. In conclusion, the exceptional performances of Li-CO2 battery are attributed to the superior catalytic activity on Cu-N4 sites and the excellent electronic conductivity of nitrogen-doped graphene, activating the reversible process of discharge product formation and decomposition.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.