Influence of binders and solvents on stability of Ru/RuOx nanoparticles on ITO nanocrystals as Li–O2 battery cathodes
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Date
2017-01-23
Authors
Vankova, Svetoslava
Francia, Carlotta
Amici, Julia
Zeng, Juqin
Bodoardo, Silvia
Penazzi, Nerino
Collins, Gillian
Geaney, Hugh
O'Dwyer, Colm
Journal Title
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Publisher
Wiley-VCH Verlag
Published Version
Abstract
Fundamental research on Li–O2 batteries remains critical, and the nature of the reactions and stability are paramount for realising the promise of the Li–O2 system. We report that indium tin oxide (ITO) nanocrystals with supported 1–2 nm oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst Ru/RuOx nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrate efficient OER processes, reduce the recharge overpotential of the cell significantly and maintain catalytic activity to promote a consistent cycling discharge potential in Li–O2 cells even when the ITO support nanocrystals deteriorate from the very first cycle. The Ru/RuOx nanoparticles lower the charge overpotential compared with those for ITO and carbon-only cathodes and have the greatest effect in DMSO electrolytes with a solution-processable F-free carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder (<3.5 V) instead of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The Ru/RuOx/ITO nanocrystalline materials in DMSO provide efficient Li2O2 decomposition from within the cathode during cycling. We demonstrate that the ITO is actually unstable from the first cycle and is modified by chemical etching, but the Ru/RuOx NPs remain effective OER catalysts for Li2O2 during cycling. The CMC binders avoid PVDF-based side-reactions and improve the cyclability. The deterioration of the ITO nanocrystals is mitigated significantly in cathodes with a CMC binder, and the cells show good cycle life. In mixed DMSO–EMITFSI [EMITFSI=1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide] ionic liquid electrolytes, the Ru/RuOx/ITO materials in Li–O2 cells cycle very well and maintain a consistently very low charge overpotential of 0.5–0.8 V.
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Keywords
Batteries , Lithium , Nanoparticles , Oxygen , Evolution , Reaction , Ruthenium
Citation
Vankova, S., Francia, C., Amici, J., Zeng, J., Bodoardo, S., Penazzi, N., Collins, G., Geaney, H. and O'Dwyer, C. (2017) 'Influence of Binders and Solvents on Stability of Ru/RuOx Nanoparticles on ITO Nanocrystals as Li–O2 Battery Cathodes', ChemSusChem, 10(3), pp. 575-586. doi:10.1002/cssc.201601301
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© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: ChemSusChem 2017, 10, 575, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201601301. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.