Bifunctional iron-phtalocyanine metal–organic framework catalyst for ORR, OER and rechargeable zinc–air battery

Abstract

Exploring non-noble metal and high-activity electrocatalysts through a simple and controllable protocol remains a great challenge for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and zinc–air batteries. Herein, we developed a melt polymerization strategy to synthesize iron-polyphthalocyanine (FePPc) metallic–organic frameworks (MOFs) over the carbon black matrix (FePPc@CB). Through non-covalent $$\uppi$$ – $$\uppi$$ interactions, FePPc molecules can anchor on carbon matrix, thus facilitating the electron transfer process and stabilizing the systems. Owing to abundant free electrons and atomically MN4 catalytic sites in the macrocycle structure, FePPc@CB exhibits excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalytic activity. The FePPc@CB also delivers excellent performances for liquid and flexible all-solid-state batteries compared to that of commercial Pt/C, making it a promising ORR/OER electrocatalyst.