Prussian blue analogue derived Pd-Co composite bifunctional electrocatalyst for Zn–air battery

Abstract

Abstract The development of economical and efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst is quite important for rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Herein, a prussian blue analogue (Co3[Co(CN)6]2, PBA) derived PBA-Pd-Co/C composite electrocatalyst with good oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalytic properties was developed via using bits of PdCl2 to modify carbonized Co3[Co(CN)6]2. The results show that as-prepared PBA-Pd-Co/C possesses good positive ORR half-wave potential (0.82 V), feasible OER potential (1.73 V) of 10 mA cm−2, minor ORR and OER Tafel slopes (53.61 and 57.07 mV dec−1), as well as high ZAB power density (138.8 mW cm−2) and good galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling stability. These good performances of PBA-Pd-Co/C are mainly ascribed to the good synergistic effect of Co and Pd nanoparticles (NPs) composited in PBA-derived nitrogen-enriched graphite carbon. This work would be supportive of expanding other low-cost and high-efficiency PBA-derived electrocatalysts in the future.