Understanding the Reversible Reactions of Li-N_(2) Battery Catalyzed With SnO_(2)

Metal–N_(2) battery can be applied in both energy storage and electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR);however,there has been only extraordinarily little study on metal–N_(2) battery since its electrochemical reversibility still needs further proofs.And its electrochemical performances also need to be enhanced.Herein,we investigated the discharge–charge reactions between Li anode and N_(2) cathode via designing an efficient catalyst of nanosized SnO_(2) particles dispersed on N-doped carbon nanosheets(SnO 2@NC)for the Li-N_(2) battery,with good cyclic stability and a high specific capacity of 0.25 mA h(~500 mA h g^(−1))at a large current density of 1000 mA g^(−1).The electrochemical reversibility of both NRR in the discharge process and nitrogen extraction reaction in the charge process for Li-N 2 battery is discussed.Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry results imply that the SnO_(2)@NC can effectively promote the adsorption of N_(2) and the activation of NRR in the discharge process.Furthermore,ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared tests are performed to study the electrochemical reversibility of Li-N_(2) battery.It can be proved that the formation and decomposition of discharging product Li_(3)N are electrochemical reversible during cycling in our deigned Li-N_(2) battery system with SnO_(2)@NC catalyst.