CNT@Ni@Ni–Co silicate core–shell nanocomposite: a synergistic triple-coaxial catalyst for enhancing catalytic activity and controlling side products for Li–O2 batteries

Abstract

A great challenge in the application of carbon-based materials to Li–O₂ batteries is to prevent the formation of carbonate-based side products, thereby extending the cycle life of Li–O₂ batteries. Herein, for the first time, CNT@Ni@NiCo silicate core–shell nanocomposite is designed and used as a cathode catalyst in Li–O₂ batteries. This nanocomposite shows a promising electrochemical performance with a discharge capacity of 10 046 mA h g_cat⁻¹ and a low overpotential of 1.44 V at a current density of 200 mA g_cat⁻¹, and it can sustain for more than 50 cycles within the voltage range of 2–4.7 V. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations prove that the formation of Li₂CO₃ and other side products are prevented, likely due to the encapsulation of CNTs by NiCo silicates and Ni nanoparticles, which may help decompose the side products. Finally, the synergistic effects, which are contributed by the high electrical conductivity of CNTs, high surface area, the high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activities of NiCo silicate, and the simple decomposition of side products by Ni nanoparticles enable outstanding performance of the CNT@Ni@NiCo silicate core–shell nanocomposite as a cathode catalyst for Li–O₂ batteries.