Boron-doped carbon microspheres as a new catalyst for rechargeable Li-CO₂ batteries

Abstract

Li-CO₂ batteries are thought to be a promising technology for it can combine storing energy with mitigating the “greenhouse effect.” However, CO₂ electrochemical reduction reaction is known to be a kinetically sluggish one. Therefore, researchers are committed to exploring catalysts with high catalytic activity to drive the reaction. In this study, boron-doped carbon microspheres (B-CMs) with mesoporous structure and large specific surface area were prepared using one-step impregnation followed by calcination. Active sites are increased by the positively charged boron atoms in B-CMs, thus, endowing higher catalytic performance for Li-CO₂ batteries. The Li-CO₂ battery with B-CMs cathode exhibited excellent performance, delivering a high discharge capacity of 17,429 ${\text{mA h g}}^{-1}$ and 11,975 ${\text{mA h g}}^{-1}$ at the current density of 200 ${\text{mA g}}^{-1}$ and 500 ${\text{mA g}}^{-1},$ respectively, and can stably run 90 cycles at the current density of 200 ${\text{mA g}}^{-1}$ with a limited capacity of 1000 ${\text{mA h g}}^{-1}.$

Keywords:

• Li-CO₂ battery
• boron doped carbon microspheres
• catalytic performance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work has been financially supported by the Open Project of Key Lab Adv. Energy Mat. Chem. (Nankai Univ.) partially.