Carbon Nanotube@RuO2 as a High Performance Catalyst for Li–CO2 Batteries

Efficient electrocatalysts for Li 2 CO 3 decomposition play an important role in Li–CO 2 batteries. In this paper, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated with RuO 2 is firstly introduced as cathode materials for Li–CO 2 batteries. The CNT@RuO 2 composite can not only deliver a high specific capacity but also a lower charge voltage. With the CNT@RuO 2 cathodes, the Coulombic efficiency still remains around 100% until the 15th cycle. The charge voltage of early 30 cycles at a current of 50 mA·g –1 with a capacity limit of 500 mAh·g –1 can be fully lowered under 4.0 V. Particularly, the CNT@RuO 2 cathode can realize most decomposition of prefilled Li 2 CO 3 and show a platform at around 3.9 V. This catalytic activity toward both in situ formed and preloaded Li 2 CO 3 is more feasible for practical application in complex environment.