Carbon-free (Co, Mn)3O4 nanowires@Ni electrodes for lithium–oxygen batteries

Abstract

A carbon-free, three-dimensional network structured material composed of (Co, Mn)₃O₄ nanowires and Ni foam was synthesized. Without the addition of any binder or conductive additives, it could be employed as the air electrode for lithium–oxygen batteries and delivers a specific capacity of 3605 mA h g_electrode⁻¹ at a current density of 0.05 mA cm⁻². Fifty cycles of continuous discharge and charge have been obtained with a cut-off capacity of 500 mA h g_electrode⁻¹. The high reversibility and large capacity of the batteries is largely attributed to the unique features of the as-prepared (Co, Mn)₃O₄@Ni electrode, which enables the surface of nanowires to become highly accessible to the reactants and provides more void volume for the deposition of discharge products. This work suggests that there is great potential in employing the carbon-free (Co, Mn)₃O₄@Ni as air electrodes for lithium–oxygen batteries.