Na/Al Codoped Layered Cathode with Defects as Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Battery and Oxygen Evolution Reaction

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Vol. 17; no. 18; pp. e2005605 - n/a
• Main Authors: Singh, Aditya Narayan, Kim, Min‐Ho, Meena, Abhishek, Wi, Tae‐Ung, Lee, Hyun‐Wook, Kim, Kwang S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-05-2021
• Subjects: Aluminum; Cathodes; Crystal defects; Crystal lattices; Diffusion layers; Dislocations; electrocatalyst; Electrocatalysts; Lithium-ion batteries; lithium‐ion battery; Nanotechnology; Nickel; oxygen evolution reaction; Oxygen evolution reactions; phase transition; Sodium; electrocatalyst; oxygen evolution reaction; phase transition; lithium-ion battery
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202005605

The rational design of bifunctional electrocatalyst through simple synthesis with high activity remains a challenging task. Herein, Na/Al codoped Li‐excess Li‐Ru‐Ni‐O layered electrodes are demonstrated with defects/dislocations as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst toward lithium‐ion battery (LIB) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Toward LIB cathode, specific capacity of 173 mAh g−1 (0.2C‐rate), cyclability (>95.0%), high Columbic efficiency (99.2%), and energy efficiency (90.7%) are achieved. The codoped electrocatalyst has exhibited OER activity at a low onset potential (270 mV@10 mA cm−2), with a Tafel slope 69.3 mV dec−1, and long‐term stability over 36 h superior to the undoped and many other OER electrocatalysts including the benchmark IrO2. The concurrent doping resides in the crystal lattice (where Na shows the pillaring effect to improve facile Li diffusion), Al improves the stabilization of the layered structure, and defective structures provide abundant active sites to accelerate OER reactions.
A bifunctional electrocatalyst of high activity through simple synthesis is rationally designed. Pre‐constructed defects achieved via codoping Na‐Al in Li‐rich systems seem to promise improvements in lithium batteries’ reversible capacities and significantly boost the oxygen evolution reactions. Na shows the pillaring effect and Al stabilizes the layered structure, doubly benefitting the material.