Catalytic activity of carbon-sphere/Co3O4/RuO2 nanocomposite for Li-air batteries

Abstract

A carbon-sphere/Co3O4/RuO2 nanocomposite was fabricated as part of a new approach to develop advanced Li-air batteries. The nanocomposite showed homogeneously dispersed Co3O4 and RuO2 nanoparticles on the surface of carbon spheres, whose shape was effective in increasing the catalytic surface area and enhancing the stability of carbon and the catalyst. A high discharge capacity, relatively stable reversibility, and low overpotential were observed in electrochemical tests of an electrode containing this carbon-sphere/Co3O4/RuO 2 nanocomposite. The results showed that the nanocomposite can be introduced as a promising catalyst in Li-air cells. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.