In-Situ Growth of CeO₂ Nanoparticles on N-doped Reduced Graphene Oxide for Anchoring Li₂O₂ Formation in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

The large overpotentials during oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are still big challenges for the non-aqueous lithium-oxygen batteries. In this paper, CeO₂ nanoparticles on N-doped reduced graphene oxide (CeO₂@N-RGO) are in-situ synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal process as binder-free cathode catalyst. The battery with CeO₂@N-RGO cathode delivers a capacity of 11,900 mAh g^-1 at current density of 400 mA g^-1, and can cycle up to 40 times without obvious degradation at the capacity limitation of 1000 mAh g^-1. The performance enhancement of the battery can be attributed to the synergetic effect of N-RGO and CeO₂ nanoparyicles anchoring the formation of Li₂O₂. The study confirms that CeO₂@N-RGO can be a potential excellent cathode catalyst for ORR and OER for rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries.