Recent advances in electrocatalysts for non-aqueous Li-O 2 batteries

Abstract As one of the next-generation energy-storage devices, Li–O 2 battery has become the main research direction for the academic researchers due to its characteristics of environmental friendship, relatively simple structures, high energy density of 3500 Wh/kg and low cost. However, Li–O 2 battery cannot be commercialized on a large scale because of the challenging issues including high-efficient electrocatalysts, membranes, Li-based anode and so on. In this review, we focused on the recent development of electrocatalyst materials as cathodes for the non-aqueous Li–O 2 batteries which are relatively simpler than other Li–O 2 batteries’ structures. Electrocatalysts were summarized including noble metals, nano-carbon materials, transition metals and their hybrids. We points out that the challenges of preparation high-efficient catalysts not only require high catalytic activity and conductivity, but also have novel nanoarchitectures with large interface and porous volume for LiO x storage. Furthermore, the further investigation of reaction mechanism and advanced in situ analysis technologies are welcome in the coming work.