Boron-doped Ketjenblack based high performances cathode for rechargeable Li–O2 batteries

Boron-doped Ketjenblack is attempted as cathode catalyst for non-aqueous rechargeable Li–O2 batteries. The boron-doped Ketjenblack delivers an extremely high discharge capacity of 7193 m Ah/g at a current density of 0.1 m A/cm2, and the capacity is about 2.3 times as that of the pristine KB. When the batteries are cycled with different restricted capacity, the boron-doped Ketjenblack based cathodes exhibits higher discharge platform and longer cycle life than Ketjenblack based cathodes. Additionally, the boron-doped Ketjenblack also shows a superior electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction in 0.1 mol/L KOH aqueous solution. The improvement in catalytic activity results from the defects and activation sites introduced by boron doping.

Universal organic anodes enable safe low-cost aqueous rechargeable batteries with long cycle life,high capacity, and fast kinetics

Future battery advances and economies of scale will help scrub CO2emissions from transportation and the grid.Economical energy storage lets battery-powered electric vehicles replace internal combustion engines in the transportation sector,which now accounts for the plurality of CO2emissions.For grid-scale applications,the benefits of adding storage are many and well documented[1–2].Beyond increased penetration of intermittent renewable energy generated from such as solar panels

A novel composite(FMC)to serve as a durable 3D-clam-shaped bifunctional cathode catalyst for both primary and rechargeable zinc-air batteries

Novel and highly durable air cathode electrocatalyst with three dimensional （3D）-clam-shaped structure, MnO2 nanotubes-supported Fe2O3 （Fe2O3/MnO2） composited by carbon nanotubes （CNTs） （（Fe2O3/ MnO2）3/4-（CNTs）1/4） is synthesized using a facile hydrothermal process and a following direct heat- treatment in the air. The morphology and composition of this catalyst are analyzed using scanning elec- tronic microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDX）. The morphology characteristics reveal that flower-like Fe2O3 parti- cles are highly dispersed on both MnO2 nanotubes and CNT surfaces, coupling all three components firmly. Electrochemical measurements indicate that the synergy of catalyst exhibit superior bi- functional catalytic activity for both oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） and oxygen evolution reaction （OER） as well as stability than Pt/C and lrO2 catalysts. Using these catalysts for air-cathodes, both primary and rechargeable zinc-air batteries （ZABs） are assembled for performance validation. In a primary ZAB, this 3D-clamed catalyst shows a decent open circuit voltage （OCV, -1.48 V） and a high discharge peak power density （349 mW cm 2）, corresponding to a coulomhic efficiency of 92%. In a rechargeahle ZABs with this bifunctional catalyst, high OCV （〉1.3 V） and small charge-discharge voltage gap （〈1.1 V） are achieved along with high specific capacity （780 mAh g 1 at 30 mA cm-2） and robust cycle-life （1,390 cycles at cycle profile of 20 mA/10 min）.