Exploiting encapsulated FeCo alloy decorated N-doped hierarchically porous carbon electrocatalysts in rechargeable Zn-air batteries

Exploiting highly active non-noble metal catalyst with designed nanoarchitecture is essential and formidable for the rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs). To this end, hierarchically porous N-doped carbon hybrids with encapsulated FeCo alloy (FeCo@NC) is designed by template-assisted method. The optimized sample pyrolyzed at 800 degrees C (FeCo@NC800) possesses a large specific surface area of 1195 m(2) g(-1), plentiful micro-/meso-/ macro-pores and is rich in defects and graphitic N-doped carbon atoms. These preeminent characteristics endow the catalyst with superior bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic activities (Delta E = E-10-E-1/2 =852 mV) in alkaline electrolyte, as well as outstanding stability. As air-electrode catalyst in ZAB, FeCo@NC800 reveals high power density of 169 mW cm(-2), excellent rechargeable property and cycling stability. Moreover, the asobtained catalyst displays promising application potentiality in solid-state ZAB. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The FeCo@NC catalyst, designed by template-assisted method, exhibits superior bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic activities and high power density in Zn-air batteries, with excellent rechargeable performance and cycling stability, showing promising application potential in solid-state ZAB.