In situ growth of NiO nanoparticles on carbon paper as a cathode for rechargeable Li–O2 batteries

Abstract

Novel NiO nanoparticles have been successfully designed and directly grown on carbon paper (CP) as a cathode for rechargeable Li–O₂ batteries via a facile two-step in situ synthesis strategy, including a simple electro-deposition technique, following by high temperature oxidation. Using in situ synthesis methods means that the porous structure of CP is effectively inherited and the use of a binder avoided, which eliminates possible side reactions and over-potential from the binder and enhances the electrochemical performance. SEM and TEM show that the NiO nanoparticles homogenously cover the exposed surface of CPs and the size of the NiO particles is around 10 nm. Benefiting from these structural advantages, the binder-free cathode of NiO/CP exhibits a high discharge capacity of 8934 mA h g⁻¹ under the current density of 100 mA g⁻¹ and could cycle more than 112 times within a capacity limitation of 500 mA h g⁻¹.