Monodispersed Ruthenium Nanoparticles on Nitrogen-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide for an Efficient Lithium-Oxygen Battery

Lithium-oxygen batteries with ultrahigh energy densities have drawn considerable attention as next-generation energy storage devices. However, their practical applications are challenged by sluggish reaction kinetics aimed at the formation/decomposition of discharge products on battery cathodes. Developing effective catalysts and understanding the fundamental catalytic mechanism are vital to improve the electrochemical performance of lithium-oxygen batteries. Here, uniformly dispersed ruthenium nanoparticles anchored on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide are prepared by using an in situ pyrolysis procedure as a bifunctional catalyst for lithium-oxygen batteries. The abundance of ruthenium active sites and strong ruthenium-support interaction enable a feasible discharge product formation/decomposition route by modulating the surface adsorption of lithium superoxide intermediates and the nucleation and growth of lithium peroxide species. Benefiting from these merits, the electrode provides a drastically increased discharge capacity (17,074 mA h g(-1)), a decreased charge overpotential (0.51 V), and a long-term cyclability (100 cycles at 100 mA g(-1)). Our observations reveal the significance of the dispersion and coordination of metal catalysts, shedding light on the rational design of efficient catalysts for future lithium-oxygen batteries.

Automated summary

This study synthesized ruthenium nanoparticles anchored on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide as a bifunctional catalyst for lithium-oxygen batteries, which significantly improved the electrochemical performance with increased discharge capacity, decreased charge overpotential, and long-term cyclability. The findings highlight the importance of dispersion and coordination of metal catalysts in the rational design of efficient catalysts for future lithium-oxygen batteries.