Reduced graphene oxide-modified aluminum foils as highly conductive and corrosion-resistant cathode current collectors for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) foil current collector is easily corroded by the electrolyte during long-term cycling and damages the electrochemical performance of the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), especially at high operating voltages, this limits the development of next-generation high operating voltage (5 V) LIBs. Here, we successfully fabricated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) modified Al foils with high electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance as current collectors, which significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of current collectors in LiPF6-based electrolytes and improved the long-term cycling stability and safety of LiMn2O4 batteries at high voltages. The LiMn2O4(LMO) cells with RGO modified Al foils as the current collector (LMO/GA) exhibit a discharge capacity retention rate of 88.7 % after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1, which is much higher than that of the cells with pristine Al foils as the current collector (LMO/PA). The reversible capacity, rate capability, and thermal stability of the LMO/GA cells have also been significantly improved with RGO mediations. This work provides a new idea for the development of long-life corrosion-resistant current collector materials for high-performance LIBs at high operating voltages.