Gold nanoparticles anchored reduced graphene oxide as catalyst for oxygen electrode of rechargeable Li–O2 cells

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide (Au–RGO) catalyst for O₂ electrode is prepared by in situ reduction of Au³⁺ ions and graphene oxide dispersed in water. The Au nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the two-dimensional RGO layers. Li–O₂ cells assembled in a non-aqueous electrolyte using Au–RGO catalyst exhibit an initial discharge capacity as high as 5.89 mA h cm⁻² (5230 mA h g⁻¹) at a current density of 0.1 mA cm⁻². The voltage gap between the charge and discharge curves is less for Li–O₂(Au–RGO) cell in comparison with Li–O₂(RGO) cell. The Li–O₂(Au–RGO) cells are cycled over about 120 charge–discharge cycles. The results suggest that Au–RGO is a promising catalyst for rechargeable Li–O₂ cells.