InSitu-Grown ZnCo2O4 on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Air Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

The development of highly efficient catalysts is critical for the practical application of lithium-oxygen (Li-O-2) batteries. Nanosheet-assembled ZnCo2O4 (ZCO) microspheres and thin films grown insitu on single-walled carbon nanotube (ZCO/SWCNT) composites as high-performance air electrode materials for Li-O-2 batteries are reported. The insitu grown ZCO/SWCNT electrodes delivered high discharge capacities, decreased the onset of the oxygen evolution reaction by 0.9V during the charging process, and led to longer cycling stability. These results indicate that insitu grown ZCO/SWCNT composites can be used as highly efficient air electrode materials for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. The enhanced catalytic activity displayed by the uniformly dispersed ZCO catalyst on nanostructured electrodes is expected to inspire further development of other catalyzed electrodes for Li-O-2 batteries and other applications.