Ceria based catalyst for cathode in non-aqueous electrolyte based Li/O2 batteries

This study suggests combustion synthesized Ce1−xZrxO2 (CZO; x = 0.1-0.5) as a new catalyst for the cathode in non-aqueous electrolyte based Li/O2 cells. The spherical catalysts have a fluorite structure with a mean diameter of 5-17 nm. Zr doping into the ceria lattice leads to the reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+, which further improves the catalyst performance. Electrochemical studies of CZO as a cathode catalyst in the Li/O2 cell show that CZO follows a two-electron pathway for oxygen reduction. A maximum discharge capacity of 1620 mAh g−1 is obtained for the Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalyst due to its high surface area and porosity. A composite of CZO and MnO2 shows even better performance as a cathode catalyst for the Li/O2 cell.