Synthesis and characterization of uniformly dispersed Fe3O4/Fe nanocomposite on porous carbon: application for rechargeable Li-O-2 batteries

Uniformly dispersed core-shelled Fe/Fe3O4 nanocomposite on porous carbon was synthesized via a wet-chemistry approach, which was tested as a cathode material in rechargeable Li-O-2 battery, showing highly active catalytic effect towards the electrochemical reactions, of particular, oxygen reduction reaction. XPS data showed the oxygen reduction reaction took place on the surface of the catalyst during discharge of the cell. Both XRD and XPS data demonstrated that lithium peroxide partook in the reversible reactions in the Li-O-2 cell with a TEGDME-based electrolyte.