Facile synthesis of Fe2O3 nanoflakes and their electrochemical properties for Li-Air batteries

Abstract

Fe2O3 nanoflakes were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and employed as a cathode catalyst for non-aqueous Li-air batteries. The synthesized Fe2O3 nanoflakes with an average diameter of ∼90 nm were well crystallized. The Fe2O3 nanoflakes manifest superior catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction and evolution reaction in Li-air batteries. The discharge-recharge voltage gap of Fe 2O3/super P is reduced to ∼0.83 V. By the addition of Fe2O3, the cell exhibits a capacity of ∼5200 mAh/gelectrode, and shows a rate capability of ∼2000 mAh/gelectrode at a current density of 0.4 mA/cm2, and it also has a stable capacity performance after 30 cycles. © 2013 The Electrochemical Society.