Three-dimensional CoNi2S4 nanorod arrays anchored on carbon textiles as an integrated cathode for high-rate and long-life Lithium−Oxygen battery

Lithium−oxygen (Li−O2) battery possesses remarkably high-energy density and is thus considered as an attractive system for next-generation energy storage. Here, a free-standing cathode is fabricated by directly growing mesoporous CoNi2S4 nanorod arrays on carbon textiles (CNS-RAs/CT) by two-step hydrothermal procedures. This well-designed cathode structure based on mesoporous CNS-RAs owing large open space and high surface area provides sufficient void volume for depositing and accommodating copious Li2O2 products and considerable amount of exposed catalytic sites for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The direct contact of CNS-RAs with high-conductive CT can also effectively boost electron transfer within the cathode. Benefiting from above unique features, the free-standing CNS-RAs/CT cathode achieves high capacity of 5438 mA h g−1, and excellent cycling stability of 588 cycles. Furthermore, the CNS-RAs/CT electrode-based bendable pouch-type Li−O2 battery in a large scale is fabricated and shows potential feasibility as a flexible and wearable power source for next-generation electronic devices. CoNi2S4 nanorod array growing on the carbon textile is successfully fabricated and systematically studied for the first time as an integrated cathode to improve the stability of Li−O2 battery. The large-area pouch-type Li−O2 battery based integrated cathode exhibits potential feasibility as a flexible power source for next-generation electronic devices. [Display omitted] •CoNi2S4 nanorod array growing on the carbon textile is successfully fabricated and systematically studied for the first time as an integrated cathode to improve the stability of Li−O2 battery.•The free-standing CNS-RAs/CT cathode achieves high capacity of 5438 mA h g−1 and excellent cycling stability of 588 cycles.•The large-area pouch-type battery based integrated cathode exhibits potential feasibility as a flexible power source for next-generation electronic devices.