A flexible Li-CO2 batteries with enhanced cycling stability enabled by a IrO2/carbon fiber self-standing cathode.

• A self-standing and flexible IrO 2 /CK cathode was reported. • IrO 2 /CK cathode exhibits the improve CO 2 RR/CO 2 ER kinetics. • Cross-linked network structure benefits mass/charge transport and Li 2 CO 3 storage. • The cycling life of Li-CO 2 batteries was greatly enhanced. Rechargeable Li-CO 2 batteries provide a very promising approach to simultaneously solve energy shortage and the greenhouse effect. However, Li-CO 2 batteries are facing several shortcomings, especially the slow CO 2 oxidation and reduction kinetics, which deteriorate the energy efficiency and cycling life. Herein, IrO 2 /carbon fibers derived from kapok (IrO 2 /CK) are prepared via simple one-step carbonization and subsequent hydrothermal reaction. Benefitting from the favorable CO 2 reduction and evolution catalytic activities of the loaded IrO 2 nanoparticles, the enhanced electron transfer and reactants diffusion kinetics derived by the unique cross-linked hierarchical porous structure and the ample space for Li 2 CO 3 deposition, the fabricated Li-CO 2 battery, IrO 2 /CK as the cathode, shows ultra-long operation time more than 4000 h. More importantly, the cathode exhibits excellent mechanical flexibility conferred by the kapok, which can maintain the original structure during bending. The pouch-type flexible Li-CO 2 battery with IrO 2 /CK cathode can steadily operate for 300 h under different bending conditions. This work will advance the development of flexible Li-CO 2 batteries in the field of wearing energy storage devices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]