Integrated 3D foam-like porous Ni3S2 as improved deposition support for high-performance Li-O-2 battery

The development of high efficiency air cathode plays important role in regulating the surface electrochemical process to enhance the performance of Li-O-2 battery. Herein, we synthesize an integrated porous Ni3S2 on 3D Ni foam substrate through a facile MOF-derived route, the integrated 3D foam-like porous Ni3S2 catalyst can functional as both current collector and catalyst layer. Benefiting from the unique porous structure and the uniform regulate role of the surface electrochemical reaction, the integrated 3D foam-like catalyst cathode delivers nearly 3 times higher discharge capacity and longer cycling performance than that of the pristine Ni foam. More importantly, the morphology of the formed discharge products exhibits lamellar-like structure and has large radial dimension, the Ni3S2 catalyst layer also plays the role of inducing the formation of LiO2 and decreasing the charge overpotential. This study opens a different and facile horizon to fabricate high-efficient air cathode.