Recent progress in iron-series-element-based electrocatalysts for Zn–air batteries

Abstract

The large-scale application of green energy storage and conversion strategies, such as Zn–air battery (ZAB) devices, depends heavily on the development of efficient electrocatalysts. Among them, iron-series-element-based electrocatalysts (ISEEs), with tuneable electronic structures and coordination environments, endow ZABs with remarkable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) capabilities. Various types of ISEEs, including metal particles and single-atom, have recently been widely applied to accelerate the electrochemical kinetics of bifunctional ORR and OER. This review aims to summarise the recent three years of ISEEs advancements for ZABs and discuss the advantages and challenges of ISEEs improvement strategies. Furthermore, this review analyses the basic mechanisms of ISEEs enhancement of ZAB performances and proposes some constructive perspectives for future ISEEs design and synthetic strategies.