Issue 16, 2024

Hierarchical mesoporous N-doped carbon as an efficient ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc–air battery

Abstract

The construction of efficient oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction (ORR/OER) bifunctional electrocatalysts is crucial for rechargeable zinc–air batteries. Hierarchical mesoporous N-doped carbon (HMNC) structures with superior catalytic activities are illustrious candidates for the ORR/OER to substitute precious metal (Pt)-based catalysts. In this study, an optimal HMNC (abbr. NDC-800) with uniform rich-defect active sites was prepared by selection of an eligible Fe complex precursor. The NDC-800 catalyst had excellent ORR activity with a high half wave potential (E1/2) of 0.88 V, and an amazing ORR/OER bifunctional performance involving a low potential gap (ΔE) of 0.76 V, which surpasses that of the benchmark Pt/C catalyst. As a rechargeable zinc–air battery catalyst, it has a large power density of 186.12 mW cm−2, a high specific capacity up to 630 mA h gZn−1, and an excellent cycling stability of 60 h (120 cycles) at 10 mA cm−2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the effective ORR/OER bifunctional activities can be attributed to its hierarchical mesoporous structure, which can afford sufficient exposed active sites and rich defects to synergistically promote the formation of OH intermediates, and reduce the free energy (ΔG).

Graphical abstract: Hierarchical mesoporous N-doped carbon as an efficient ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc–air battery

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
11 Mar 2024
Accepted
26 May 2024
First published
30 May 2024

Inorg. Chem. Front., 2024,11, 5345-5358

Hierarchical mesoporous N-doped carbon as an efficient ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc–air battery

P. Li, J. Wen, Y. Xiang, M. Li, Y. Zhao, S. Wang, J. Dou, Y. Li, H. Ma and L. Xu, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2024, 11, 5345 DOI: 10.1039/D4QI00637B

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