A multi-site strategy for boosting Li-CO2 batteries performance

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2025-01, Vol.626, p.235763, Article 235763
• Main Authors: Song, Ruilin, Han, Jingrui, Tian, Shiwei, Wang, Dan, Liu, Dong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Co nanoparticles; Defects; Li-CO2 battery; Multi-site strategy; Nitrogen sites
• ISSN: 0378-7753
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.235763

Herein, we develop a multi-site strategy to boost Li-CO2 battery performance using Co nanoparticles (NPs) loaded nitrogen-doped holey carbon nanotubes (Co@N-hCNT) as high-efficiency cathode catalyst. The Co@N-hCNT possesses high-efficiency multiple active sites of defects, nitrogen sites and Co NPs for reversible conversion of insulating Li2CO3 as well as rapid charge and ion transport provided by the nitrogen-doped holey CNTs. Benefiting from these excellent properties, the as-assembled Li-CO2 battery with Co@N-hCNT cathode shows outstanding electrochemical performance with a low overpotential of 1.03 V at 0.05 A g−1 and a high full discharge capacity of 27952 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A g−1. More importantly, the Li-CO2 battery with Co@N-hCNT exhibits a long-term durability over 220 cycles even at a high current density of 0.5 A g−1. This work opens a new venture for the development of high-efficiency cathode catalysts for Li-CO2 batteries and beyond via a multi-site strategy. •A multi-site strategy enable high-performance Li-CO2 batteries.•Co nanoparticles loaded N-doped holey CNTs are developed as cathode catalysts.•Co NPs, nitrogen sites and defect sites enhance the kinetics of CO2 conversion.•The resultant Li-CO2 batteries show outstanding electrochemical performance.