Carbon [email protected]2 as a High Performance Catalyst for Li–CO2 Batteries

Efficient electrocatalysts for Li2CO3 decomposition play an important role in Li–CO2 batteries. In this paper, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated with RuO2 is firstly introduced as cathode materials for Li–CO2 batteries. The [email protected]2 composite can not only deliver a high specific capacity but also a lower charge voltage. With the [email protected]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 [email protected]2 cathode can realize most decomposition of prefilled Li2CO3 and show a platform at around 3.9 V. This catalytic activity toward both in situ formed and preloaded Li2CO3 is more feasible for practical application in complex environment