Zinc/graphitic carbon nitride co-mediated dual-template synthesis of densely populated Fe–Nx-embedded 2D carbon nanosheets towards oxygen reduction reactions for Zn–air batteries. Issue 11 (5th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gong, Xiao-Fei; Zhang, Yun-Long; Zhao, Lei; Dai, Yun-Kun; Cai, Jia-Jun; Liu, Bing; Guo, Pan; Zhou, Qing-Yan; Yagi, Ichizo; Wang, Zhen-Bo
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 10:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 5971
• Page End: 5980
• Publication Date: 2021-11-05
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ta08007e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Densely populated single-atom Fe–N x -embedded carbon nanosheets (SAs-Fe/N-CNSs) synthesized by a Zn/g-C3 N4 -mediated dual-template strategy with excellent performance on ORRs and Zn–air batteries. Abstract : Atomically dispersed Fe–N–C catalysts have been extensively deemed as appealing substitutes for Pt-series catalysts towards oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). Nevertheless, most reported Fe–N–C materials suffer from inefficient Fe-based nanoparticles and low-density Fe–N x sites. Herein, a Zn/g-C3 N4 -mediated dual-template strategy was employed to synthesize densely populated atomic Fe–N x center-embedded N-doped carbon nanosheets (SAs-Fe/N-CNSs) with adjustable porous structures by the simple pyrolysis of d -glucosamine/FeZn/g-C3 N4 complexes. g-C3 N4 works as a structure-guiding 2D template and offers abundant coordination-N trapping sites for anchoring Fe atoms, simultaneously. ZnCl2 serves as a self-sacrificial template creating a hierarchical porous structure by its volatilization as well as hinders the agglomeration of Fe atoms by spatial segregation during pyrolysis. Due to the high-density atomic Fe–N x moieties, unique 2D structure, hierarchical porosity, and large surface area, the optimal SAs-Fe/N-CNS catalyst exhibits satisfying ORR performance including excellent activity ( E 1/2 = 0.91 V) and desirable durability, surpassing the Pt/C catalyst. Additionally, the superb performance of SAs-Fe/N-CNS-based Zn–air batteries with a maximum power density of 157.03 mW cm −2 verifies their promising application in practical electrochemical systems.