One-pot synthesis of FeNxC as efficient catalyst for high-performance zinc-air battery

Publication Name

Journal of Energy Chemistry

Abstract

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZAB) with a high theoretical energy density of 1086 Wh kg−1, have received tremendous research attention. However, the practical application of ZABs is still limited by high polarization and poor energy efficiency (low power density) due to the sluggish 4 electrons (e−)/oxygen (O2) kinetics over the air electrode. Here, a noble-metal-free FeNxC electrocatalyst is developed via a one-pot approach, which provides a high density of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) active site and facilitates the ORR kinetics. Accordingly, the as-assembled Zn-air battery displayed a low charge–discharge voltage gap of 0.71 V at 10 mA cm−2, a remarkable peak power density as high as 181.2 mW cm−2, as well as the long-term durability for hundreds of hours, among the top level of those reported previously. Our work provides a major boost for the practical application of Zn-air battery in the future.

Open Access Status

This publication is not available as open access

Volume

66

First Page

100

Last Page

106

Funding Number

1922018

Funding Sponsor

Australian Research Council

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2021.07.009