Breakthrough in Nanotechnology: Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalysts for Rechargeable Zn-air Batteries

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products have made significant advancements in the development of efficient oxygen electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn-air batteries. According to a new study, the design of Co and N co-doped carbon matrices has emerged as a promising strategy for the fabrication of bi-functional electrocatalysts. The research, funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Biomass Energy and Materials, demonstrates a simple, scalable, and efficient approach to fabricating cost-effective high-performance ORR/OER catalysts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers designed surface-oxidized Co nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated into N-doped hierarchically porous carbon materials (Co/NHPC) as ORR/OER catalysts for rechargeable Zn-air batteries.
  • The fabricated electrocatalyst exhibited a core-shell structure with surface-oxidized Co nanoparticles anchored on hierarchically porous carbon sheets.
  • The carbon shells prevented Co NP cores from aggregating, ensuring excellent electrocatalytic properties for ORR with a half-wave potential of 0.82 V and a moderate OER performance.
  • The study demonstrated a long cycle life and a low charge-discharge voltage gap.
  • The researchers concluded that the study provides a simple, scalable, and efficient approach to fabricating cost-effective high-performance ORR/OER catalysts for rechargeable Zn-air batteries.

Statistics:

  • The fabricated electrocatalyst displayed a half-wave potential of 0.82 V for ORR.
  • The study demonstrated a moderate OER performance.
  • The obtained Co/NHPC as a cathode was assembled in a zinc-air battery that delivered an open-circuit potential of 1.50 V.
  • The charge-discharge voltage gap was low.
  • The cycle life was long.

Sources:

  • Co/n-doped Hierarchical Porous Carbon As an Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zn-air Battery. RSC Advances, 2021;11(26):15753-15761.
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
  • Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Biomass Energy and Materials
  • Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products
  • Royal Society of Chemistry (www.rsc.org/)
  • Jianchun Jiang, Chinese Acad Forestry Caf, Key & Open Lab Forest Chem Engn, Natl Engn Lab Biomass Chem Utilizat, Sfa, Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Nanjing 210042, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.