Doping optimization mechanism of a bi-functional perovskite catalyst La0.8Sr0.2Co0.8Ni0.2O3-δ for Li–O2 battery cathode

Perovskite oxides with low cost and high catalytic activity are reported as suitable cathode catalysts for the Li–O 2 batteries (LOBs), while their catalytic mechanism is not yet fully clarified. Herein, La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Co 0.8 Ni 0.2 O 3-δ (LSCN8282) perovskite oxide is used as a cathode catalyst for the LOBs and further improved by adjusting the Co/Ni ratio in the B-site. Thus, La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Co 0.6 Ni 0.4 O 3-δ (LSCN8264) and La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Co 0.4 Ni 0.6 O 3-δ (LSCN8246) are also synthesized and used as cathode catalysts for the LOBs. Among the obtained perovskite catalysts in this study, LSCN8264 shows the highest electrochemical activity in 1 M KOH and best catalytic effectivity when used in the LOBs. The catalytic mechanism and doping optimization are clarified by analyzing the morphology of the discharge products and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the perovskite oxides.