Recent progress in cathode catalyst for nonaqueous lithium oxygen batteries: a review

Lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) battery is a potential candidate to be next-generation commercial battery due to high theoretical capacity and energy density among the various rechargeable batteries. However, there are still some obstacles that hindering its commercial application due to the unsatisfactory practical electrochemical performance, including low discharge capacity, poor rate capability, high overpotential, and unstable cycle lifespan, etc. Rational design of cathode materials is demonstrated to be an efficient route to greatly ameliorate the aforementioned existential issues of Li-O2 battery system. Herein, the recent advances in the design and preparation of cathode materials for Li-O2 batteries were summarized in this review. The basic principles and comprehending of reaction mechanism for Li-O2 batteries were proposed in the first part. The following part introduced the latest research and development of the component design of cathode, including carbon-based materials, noble metals, transition metals and their compounds, bimetallic oxides, redox mediators, and photo-assisted catalysts. Then, the structure‐property relationship with different dimensions was covered. In addition, attempts to improve the electrochemical properties of Li-O2 batteries electrode materials via surface engineering, containing heterojunction construction, vacancy regulation, and optimization of exposed crystal planes were discussed. Eventually, a brief conclusion about the challenging and existing problems for Li-O2 batteries was proposed and some perspective related to the development direction were put out. This work will motivate the preparation of oxygen electrodes with stability and efficient catalytic activity for high performance Li-O2 batteries, aims to promote the commercial application of rechargeable Li-O2 energy storages.Graphical abstractThis minireview summarizes the latest research and development of the component design of cathode and their improved strategy, promoting the commercial application of rechargeable Li-O2 energy storages.