Strengthening absorption ability of Co-N-C as efficient bifunctional oxygen catalyst by modulating the d band center using MoC

Co-N-C is a promising oxygen electrochemical catalyst due to its high stability and good durability.However,due to the limited adsorption ability improvement for oxygen-containing intermediates,it usually exhibits inadequate catalytic activity with 2-electron pathway and high selectivity of hydrogen peroxide.Herein,the adsorption of Co-N-C to these intermediates is modulated by constructing heterostructures using transition metals and their derivatives based on d-band theory.The heterostructured nanobelts with MoC core and pomegranate-like carbon shell consisting of Co nanoparticles and N dopant(MoC/Co-N-C)are engineered to successfully modulate the d band center of active Co-N-C sites,resulting in a remarkably enhanced electrocatalysis performance.The optimally performing MoC/Co-N-C exhibits outstanding bi-catalytic activity and stability for the oxygen electrochemistry,featuring a high wave-half potential of 0.865 V for the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and low overpotential of 370 mV for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)at 10 mA cm^(-2).The zinc air batteries with the MoC/Co-N-C catalyst demonstrate a large power density of 180 mW cm^(-2)and a long cycling lifespan(2000 cycles).The density functional theory calculations with Hubbard correction(DFT+U)reveal the electron transferring from Co to Mo atoms that effectively modulate the d band center of the active Co sites and achieve optimum adsorption ability with"single site double adsorption"mode.

Conjugated polymerized bimetallic phthalocyanine based electrocatalyst with Fe-N_(4)/Co-N_(4) dual-sites synergistic effect for zinc-air battery

The bifunctional oxygen catalyst is essential for zinc-air batteries(ZABs).Here,an efficient bifunctional oxygen catalyst,PPcFeCo/3D-G,is obtained throughπ-πinteraction between the conjugated polymerized iron-cobalt phthalocyanine(PPcFeCo)with excellent thermal stability and three-dimensional graphene(3D-G).The bimetallic synergistic effect of PPcFeCo,verified by DFT(Density functional theory)calculation,andπ-πinteractions enhances the catalytic activity and durability of the PPcFeCo/3D-G.Regarding electrochemical performance,the PPcFeCo/3D-G with a high electron transfer number(3.98,@0.768 V vs.RHE)has excellent half-wave potential(E_(1/2)=0.890 V vs.RHE)and exhibits outstanding reversibility(ΔE=0.700 V,ΔE=Ej=10-E_(1/2)).The liquid ZAB(LZAB)employed PPcFeCo/3D-G displays a high power density(222 m W cm^(-2)),a specific capacity(792 m A h g-1),and excellent durability(120 h).This work has guiding significance for the preparation of high-efficiency bifunctional catalysts.

Aerophilic Triphase Interface Tuned by Carbon Dots Driving Durable and Flexible Rechargeable Zn‑Air Batteries

Efficient bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)are vital for rechargeable Zn-air batteries(ZABs).Herein,an oxygen-respirable sponge-like Co@C–O–Cs catalyst with oxygen-rich active sites was designed and constructed for both ORR and OER by a facile carbon dot-assisted strategy.The aerophilic triphase interface of Co@C–O–Cs cathode efficiently boosts oxygen diffusion and transfer.The theoretical calculations and experimental studies revealed that the Co–C–COC active sites can redistribute the local charge density and lower the reaction energy barrier.The Co@C–O–Cs catalyst displays superior bifunctional catalytic activities with a half-wave potential of 0.82 V for ORR and an ultralow overpotential of 294 mV at 10 mA cm^(−2) for OER.Moreover,it can drive the liquid ZABs with high peak power density(106.4 mW cm^(−2)),specific capacity(720.7 mAh g^(−1)),outstanding long-term cycle stability(over 750 cycles at 10 mA cm^(−2)),and exhibits excellent feasibility in flexible all-solid-state ZABs.These findings provide new insights into the rational design of efficient bifunctional oxygen catalysts in rechargeable metal-air batteries.

Zn-air batteries for electric vehicles

The increasingly serious environmental challenges have gradually aroused people's interest in electric vehicles.Over the last decade,governments and automakers have collaborated on the manufacturing of electric vehicles with high performance.Cutting-edge battery technologies are pivotal for the performance of electric vehicles.Zn-air batteries are considered as potential power batteries for electric vehicles due to their high capacity.Zn-air battery researches can be classified into three categories:primary batteries,mechanically rechargeable batteries,and chemically rechargeable batteries.The majority of current studies aim at developing and improving chemically rechargeable and mechanically rechargeable Zn-air batteries.Researchers have tried to use catalytic materials design and device design for Zn-air batteries to make it possible for their applications in electric vehicles.This review will highlight the state-of-the-art in primary batteries,mechanically rechargeable batteries,and chemically rechargeable batteries,revealing the prospects of Zn-air batteries for electric vehicles.