Abstract
We report a simple yet robust route to bifunctional electrocatalysts comprising FeNi and Co4N hybrid nanoparticles co-embedded within N-doped carbon nanosheets (denoted FeNi/Co4N-NCS) for rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs) with high power density and capacity as well as outstanding cycling stability, markedly outperforming the Pt/C&IrO2 electrocatalyst counterpart. The as-crafted FeNi/Co4N-NCS electrocatalysts display outstanding bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity with a low overall oxygen electrode activity (ΔE = 0.664 V). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the synergy of FeNi and Co4N reduces the rate-determining step (RDS) energy barrier, thereby greatly increasing electrocatalytic activity. The aqueous ZAB assembled with FeNi/Co4N-NCS delivers a high power density of 160 mW cm−2, large specific capacity of 812 mAh g−1Zn, and long cycling life of 1450 h at 5 mA cm−2. This study highlights an effective strategy to yield durable bifunctional electrocatalysts for metal-air batteries.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 102783 |
Journal | Energy Storage Materials |
Volume | 59 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 Elsevier B.V.
Keywords
- Bifunctional catalyst
- FeNi and CoN hybrid nanoparticles
- N-doped carbon nanosheets
- Schiff base polymer
- Zn-air battery