1D/2D hierarchical Co1-xFexO@N-doped carbon nanostructures for flexible zinc–air batteries. (10th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chong, Yanan; Pan, Zhenghui; Su, Ming; Yang, Xianfeng; Ye, Daiqi; Qiu, Yongcai
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 363(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12-10
• Subjects: Oxygen reduction reaction -- Oxygen evolution reaction -- N, C co-doping -- 1D/2D Co1-xFexO structures -- Flexible zinc–air batteries; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137264
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Highlights: Unique 1D/2D hierarchical Co1-x Fex O@N-doped carbon nanostructures grown on flexible carbon cloth were synthesized. For Co0.68 Fe0.32 O@NC, the voltage gap between the potential at 10 mA cm -2 and the half-wave potential is 0.68 V. The assembled flexible ZABs exhibits high open-circuit potential, high specific capacity and excellent cycling stability. Abstract: Flexible zinc–air batteries (ZABs) are capable of powering the wearable electronic devices due to its high energy density and low cost. However, the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of the cathode materials greatly impede the practical application of ZABs. Here, we propose a synthetic strategy to prepare a unique 1D/2D hierarchical Co1-x Fex O@NC nanostructures grown on flexible carbon cloth (Co1-x Fex O@NC/CC), featuring enhanced OER and ORR reaction kinetics. The unique architecture is obtained from 1D Co1-x Fex carbonate hydroxide hydrate nanowires grafted with 2D Co1-x Fex -ZIF (ZIF = zeolitic imidazolate framework) nanosheets. For OER, the overpotential of Co0.68 Fe0.32 O@NC/CC is 260 mV. The half-wave potential of Co0.68 Fe0.32 O@NC/CC is 0.81 V for ORR. Moreover, the voltage gap is only 0.68 V. The assembled Co0.68 Fe0.32 O@NC/CC-based flexible ZABs exhibits a high open-circuit potential of 1.300 V, a high specific capacity of 673 mAh gZn −1, excellent cycling stability and outstanding flexibility, overwhelming the state-of-the-art Pt/C-based ZABs. The work will open up a new avenue for the development of the practical application of ZABs in wearable electronic devices. Graphical abstract: 1D/2D hierarchical Co1-x Fex O@NC with reinforced activity, as oxygen electrocatalyst in wearable zinc–air batteries, enhances the electrochemical performance of batteries. Image, graphical abstract