Co2N Nanoparticles Anchored on N‐Doped Active Carbon as Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Zinc–Air Battery

Abstract

The development of efficient catalytic electrode toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is still a great challenge for the wide use of zinc–air batteries. Herein, Co2N nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on N‐doped carbon from cattail were verified with excellent catalytic performances for ORR. The onset and half‐wave potentials over the optimal catalyst reach to 0.96 V and 0.84 V, respectively. Current retention rates of 96.8% after 22‐h test and 98.8% after running 1600 s were obtained in 1 M methanol solution. Density functional theory simulation proposes an apparently increased electronic states of Co2N in N‐doped carbon layer close to the Fermi level. Higher charge density, favorable adsorption, and charge transfer of intermediates originate from the coexistence of Co2N NPs and N atoms in carbon skeleton. The superior catalytic activity of composites also was confirmed in zinc–air batteries. This novel catalytic property and controllable preparation approach of Co2N‐carbon composites provide a promising avenue to fabricate metal‐containing catalytically active carbon from biomass.