Co@C, MnO-NAC via selective wrapping for effective oxygen electrocatalysis in rechargeable Zn–air batteries. Issue 3 (11th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Wenshu; Liu, Yanyan; Wu, Dichao; Zhang, Pengxiang; Zhang, Gaoyue; Sun, Kang; Li, Baojun; Jiang, Jianchun
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy & fuels. Volume 6:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 791
• Page End: 799
• Publication Date: 2022-01-11
• Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Fuel cells -- Periodicals; Electric batteries -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 660.297
• DOI: 10.1039/d1se01744f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2398-4902

Abstract

Abstract : By using the wood of paper mulberry as raw material, Co and MnO hetero-nanoparticles was in situ immobilized onto N-doped hierarchical activated carbon (Co@C, MnO-NAC) as ORR/OER bifunctional catalyst for rechargeable Zn–air batteries (RZABs). Abstract : Exploring low-cost and active reversible oxygen electrocatalysts is desirable for efficient rechargeable Zn–air batteries. Herein, an efficient catalyst was prepared via in situ immobilizing Co and MnO hetero-nanoparticles onto N-doped hierarchical activated carbon (abbreviated as Co@C, MnO-NAC) using broussonetia papyrifera as the carbon source. The different redox properties of Co and Mn induced the selective wrapping of carbon shells on nanoparticles. The Co@C, MnO-NAC composite via selective wrapping possesses relatively independent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)/oxygen evolution reaction (OER) active centers and displays outstanding electrocatalytic activity for the synergistic effect between MnO, Co@C and NAC. It presents excellent ORR and OER catalytic performance with a small overpotential gap ( E OER − E ORR = 0.72 V). An aqueous zinc–air battery based on Co@C, MnO-NAC exhibits an open-circuit voltage of 1.46 V and long-term stability of 110 cycles. This work provides a selective wrapping strategy for designing efficient metallic compound-activated carbon-based electrocatalysts to apply in energy conversion facilities.