A "trimurti" heterostructured hybrid with an intimate CoO/CoxP interface as a robust bifunctional air electrode for rechargeable Zn–air batteries. Issue 18 (29th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niu, Yue; Xiao, Meiling; Zhu, Jianbing; Zeng, Taotao; Li, Jingde; Zhang, Wenyao; Su, Dong; Yu, Aiping; Chen, Zhongwei
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 18(2020)
• Page Start: 9177
• Page End: 9184
• Publication Date: 2020-04-29
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ta01145b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : The synergistic effects of triphasic cobalt-based nanoparticles andtheir superior structural features enable unprecedented bifunctional catalytic efficiency and durability. Abstract : The development of robust and cost-effective bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is of significant importance for the widespread implementation of Zn–air batteries yet remains an immense challenge, which calls for the molecular-level manipulation of active species as well as morphology engineering to accelerate the reversible oxygen reaction dynamics. Herein, a "trimurti" heterostructured cobalt-based hybrid is designed by a facile, one-step phosphorization of layered Co-hexamine metal–organic frameworks. The synergistic effect between cobalt phosphides (Co2 P and CoP) and cobalt oxide significantly boosts the electrocatalytic activity of the oxygen redox reaction. Besides, the hierarchically porous structure promotes the accessibility of active species and smooth electron/reactant transportation. Due to these attributes, the as-developed electrocatalyst outperforms the state-of-art non-noble metal catalysts and even noble metal benchmarks with a half-wave potential of 0.86 V for the ORR and an overpotential of 0.37 V at 10 mA cm −2 for the OER. Furthermore, an appealing catalytic performance is also demonstrated in an assembled Zn–air battery, which displays a lower voltage gap of 0.86 V and improved cyclability of 202 h. This work not only affords a competitive bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst for Zn–air batteries but also highlights the synergetic effect from heterointerfaces in electrocatalysis.