Year
2017
Degree Name
Doctor of the Philosophy
Department
Institute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials
Abstract
Rechargeable nonaqueous Li-O2 batteries are considered and are expected to be the most promising energy storage and conversion candidate for future electric vehicle applications due to their ultra-high theoretical energy density. Bright prospects can be easily imagined, but critical challenges remain. High overpotentials, low capacity, low rate capability, and short cycle life, which are mainly caused by the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) dynamics on the cathode, seriously hinder further development of this battery technology. The oxygen-breathing cathode, therefore, has been identified as a key factor influencing the overall performances of a nonaqueous Li-O2 battery. Searching for an efficient cathode catalyst combined with an optimum architecture should be the ideal pathway to address the current challenges. In this thesis, three-dimensional (3D) foam-like NiCo2O4, nanofibrous Co3O4/polypyrrole (PPy) composite, three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous Co3O4 nanotube (Co3O4 HPNT) networks, and Ag nanocrystals encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon fiber (NCF) have been synthesized and studied as cathode catalysts for Li-O2 batteries.
Recommended Citation
Liu, Lili, Development of Efficient Electrocatalysts for Lithium Oxygen Batteries, Doctor of the Philosophy thesis, Institute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials, University of Wollongong, 2017. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses1/118
FoR codes (2008)
0302 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 030301 Chemical Characterisation of Materials, 030306 Synthesis of Materials, 030604 Electrochemistry
Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.