Porous Perovskite LaNiO3 Nanocubes As Cathode Catalysts for Li-O2 Batteries with Low Charge Potential

In recent years, rechargeable lithium-O₂ batteries with remarkably high theoretical energy storage capacity have attracted significant attention for applications in electric vehicles and energy storage of smart grids. However, for practical applications they still suffer from substantial challenges especially high charge overpotential caused by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction(OER). Up to now, the most efficient OER catalysts are noble metals with high price and scarce quantity.  Therefore, developing efficient OER catalysts with low price is essential for rechargeable Li-O₂ battery. In our work, porous LaNiO₃ nanocubes with  porous structure and large specific surface area were employed as electrocatalyst in a Li-O₂ battery cell. This catalyst showed high OER activity that could reduce the charge potential low to 3.40 V. The synergistic effect of porous structure, large specific surface area and high electrocatalytical activity ensures the Li-O₂battery with enchanced capacity and good cycle stability. Furthermore, it is found that corrosion of lithium anode is also responsible for the capacity fading of Li-O₂ battery, in addition to the passivation of oxygen cathode. Our finding indicated that porous LaNiO₃ nanocubes can be recognized as a promising cathode catalyst for Li-O₂ battery. Our work provided a perspective for the improvement of electrocatalyst performance in Li-O2 battery by tuning the structure of perovskite oxide.