Bifunctional Mn‐Fe Oxide Catalysts for Zn‐Air Battery Air Electrodes Fabricated Through Atomic Layer Deposition

Abstract

Zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) are one of many energy storage technologies that can help integrate renewable energy into the power grid. A key developmental goal for ZABs is replacing the precious metal catalysts at the air electrode with more abundant and inexpensive materials. In this work, a MnFexOy bifunctional catalyst is directly deposited on a ZAB air electrode using atomic layer deposition (ALD). With ALD, the atomic composition of the air electrode coating can be tuned based on catalytic activity. Characterization through electron microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy and diffraction techniques indicate that the novel ALD film deposits as a nanocrystalline (Mn,Fe)3O4 cubic spinel. The mixed oxide catalyst outperforms its individual binary MnOx or FeOx constituents, operating at 50.7% bifunctional efficiency at 20 mA cm‐2. Moreover, the long term stability of the ALD catalyst is showcased by 600 h (1565 cycles) of ZAB cycling at 10 mA cm‐2. The efficiency retention of the bifunctional transition metal oxide catalyst is superior to a precious metal benchmark of Pt‐Ru‐C, with 84.7% efficiency retention after more than 1500 cycles versus only 66.2% retention for the precious metal catalyst. The ALD technique enables deep penetration of catalyst material into the air electrode structure, improving the cycling behaviour.