High performance Li–CO2 batteries with NiO–CNT cathodes

Abstract

Rechargeable Li–CO₂ batteries are promising energy storage systems for reducing fossil fuel consumption and mitigating the “greenhouse effect” due to the use of a reversible reaction between lithium and CO₂. However, current Li–CO₂ batteries still suffer from several unresolved problems such as high charge potential and low coulombic efficiency, and hence more efforts are required to optimize their electrochemical performance. In this work, a composite of sheet-like NiO dispersed on carbon nanotubes was prepared via a solvothermal method. The composite was employed as an efficient air cathode for Li–CO₂ batteries, with very high coulombic efficiency (97.8%) and good cycling stability (40 cycles). This study provides new strategies to develop cheap and abundant catalysts to improve the performance of Li–CO₂ batteries.