Gold nanoparticles anchored reduced graphene oxide as catalyst for oxygen electrode of rechargeable Li–O2 cells

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide (Au–RGO) catalyst for O2 electrode is prepared by in situ reduction of Au3+ ions and graphene oxide dispersed in water. The Au nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the two-dimensional RGO layers. Li–O2 cells assembled in a non-aqueous electrolyte using Au–RGO catalyst exhibit an initial discharge capacity as high as 5.89 mA h cm−2 (5230 mA h g−1) at a current density of 0.1 mA cm−2. The voltage gap between the charge and discharge curves is less for Li–O2(Au–RGO) cell in comparison with Li–O2(RGO) cell. The Li–O2(Au–RGO) cells are cycled over about 120 charge–discharge cycles. The results suggest that Au–RGO is a promising catalyst for rechargeable Li–O2 cells.