Transitional metal alloyed nanoparticles entrapped into the highly porous N-doped 3D honeycombed carbon: A high-efficiency bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst for boosting rechargeable Zn-air batteries

Abstract

Rational development of low-cost, durable and high-performance bifunctional oxygen catalysts is highly crucial for metal-air batteries. Herein, transition metal alloyed FeCo nanoparticles (NPs) embedded into N-doped honeycombed carbon (FeCo@N-HC) was efficiently prepared by a one-step carbonization method in the existence of NH4Cl and citric acid. Benefiting from the honeycomb-like architectures and the synergistic effects of the FeCo alloy with the doped-carbon matrix, the as-synthesized FeCo@N-HC exhibited outstanding oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with the more positive onset potential (Eonset = 0.98 V vs. RHE) and half-wave potential (E1/2 = 0.85 V vs. RHE), coupled with outstanding oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with the lower overpotential (318 mV) at 10 mA cm−2. Besides, the home-made Zn-air battery has the larger power density of 144 mW cm−2 than Pt/C + RuO2 (80 mW cm−2). This research offers some valuable guidelines for constructing robust oxygen catalysts in clean energy storage and conversion technologies.