Three-dimensional Co3O4/CNTs/CFP composite as binder-free cathode for rechargeable Li-O2 batteries

A novel cobalt oxide/carbon nanotubes/carbon fiber composite for high-performance rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries oxygen electrode is synthesized. The CNTs are deposited on the surface of CFP via a simple chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and Co3O4 nanosheets are directly coated on CNTs by electrochemical deposition. The unique three-dimensional network structural of the composite can facilitate the wetting of electrolyte and diffusion of oxygen. When applied as a self-supporting, binder-free cathode material for rechargeable nonaqueous lithium-oxygen batteries (LOBs), the novel Co3O4/CNTs/CFP electrode exhibited excellent performance (with a specific capacity of 7196.5mAh/g(CNTs+Co3O4) at a current density of 200 mA/g and 25 stable cycles with 1000mAh/g(CNTs+Co3O4)). The superior performance is proposed to be associated with the 3D nanoporous structures and the absence of side reactions related to binders.