Evaluation performance of CoFe2O4 as an efficient nano-catalyst and ionic liquid of [C4mim][NTf2] as a electrolyte in lithium-air battery

An attractive, high performance, simple and inexpensive design of lithium-air battery was developed. A nano-catalyst of CoFe2O4 for modifying of a battery cathode, Whtaman filter paper as separator and a conductive ionic liquid namely 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide abbreviated [C4mim][NTf2] as an electrolyte in battery were used. The CoFe2O4 nanoparticles which consisting of transition metal-metal oxide components was synthesized and characterized using XRD, FTIR and SEM techniques. High discharge capacity, non-flammability of electrolyte, stable reversibility, long life-time and low over potential were observed in electrochemical tests of the battery. Results showed that the performance of the battery was improved to more than 1000 cycles compared to battery without any catalyst. The dischargecapacity at current density of 0.1 mA cm-2 for battery with catalyst/electrolyte and without catalyst/common organic electrolyte were 3412 and 1120 mAh g-1, respectively. Results showed that the usage of an ionic liquid as electrolyte leads to the increase the safety and lifetime of battery.

Keywords:

Li-air battery , Nano-catalyst , CoFe2O4 , Ionic liquids.