Tailoring fluorine-substituted cobalt phthalocyanine/activated carbon nanocomposites for stable and long-life Li/SOCl2 batteries

CoPcF 4 nanorods fixed on activated carbon substrates (CoPcF 4 /AC) were created using an in situ solid approach for catalysts to improve the response of thionyl chloride (SOCl 2 ). Density functional theory calculations showed that the benzene rings around the CoPcF 4 molecule exhibited a positive electrostatic potential, providing multiple active sites for the SOCl 2 reduction reaction. Moreover, the combination investigations from SEM and focused ion beam-SEM indicated that a loose and porous LiCl film appeared on the surface of the carbon cathode containing CoPcF 4 /AC, facilitating the permeation of newly formed LiCl. The inside morphology of the carbon cathodes discharged displayed a substantial number of nanopores around 50 nm, which could be attributed to the CoPcF 4 /AC nanocomposites inducing the nucleation of nanosized LiCl on the surface and inside to keep the cathode with a porous structure, benefitting from the SOCl 2 reduction reaction. The Li/SOCl 2 battery catalyzed by the CoPcF 4 /AC exhibited a stable voltage platform around 2.8 V, lasted 98.2 % during the entire discharge process, and had a relative energy improvement of 181.03 % and 147.89 % compared with those containing CoPc and CoPcF 4 , respectively.