Iridium decorated carbon nanofibers as high-performance air cathode for long lifespan lithium-oxygen batteries

Abstract

For decades, due to the use of fossil fuels, global warming and environmental pollution have increased significantly. What is in the spotlight to prevent their use is a lithium-oxygen battery with high energy density and no environmental pollution. In this experiment, we conducted research to improve the overpotential and cyclability of lithium-oxygen batteries by using Iridium, which is a representative OER/ORR catalyst, to increase the efficiency of lithium-oxygen batteries. Iridium coated carbon nanofiber (CNF@Ir) was made by depositing iridium by sputtering onto the surface which becomes the active site of carbon nanofiber (CNF) which was created through the process of stabilization at 250 $^\circ C$ and Carbonization process at 900 $^\circ C$. This was used as a cathode of a lithium-oxygen battery, and the degree of improvement in its performance was compared with the degree that CNF has. As a result, the overpotential of CNF@Ir fell by about 0.2 V compared to CNF. In addition, CNF@Ir showed much better problem material decomposition ability, and 2 times higher cycle life compared to CNF.