Ultrathin Co₃O₄ nanosheets highly dispersed on reduced graphene oxide: An efficient bi-functional catalyst for Li-O₂ battery

Ultrathin Co3O4 nanosheets grown on the reduced graphene oxide (Co3O4/rGO) was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and was investigated as a cathode in a Li-O2 battery. Benefited from the synergistic effect between Co3O4 and rGO, the hybrid exhibits a high initial capacity of 10,528 mAh g−1 along with a high coulombic efficiency (84.4%) at 100 mA g−1. In addition, the batteries show an enhanced cycling stability and after 113 cycles, the cut-off discharge voltage remains above 2.5 V. The outstanding performance is intimately related to the high surface area of rGO, which not only provide carbon skeleton for the uniform distribution of Co3O4 nanosheets but also facilitate the reversible formation and decomposition of insoluble Li2O2. The results of electrochemical tests confirm that the Co3O4/rGO hybrid is a promising candidate for the Li-O2 batteries.