Wood Carbon Based Single-Atom Catalyst for Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries

Low-cost and efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)/oxygen evolution reaction (OER) bifunctional electrocatalysts are vital for the applications of rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs). Given the high catalytic activity of single-atom catalysts (SACs), preparing SACs on a large scale for ZABs is desirable but remains challenging. Herein, in situ formation of single-atom Fe-N-C catalysts on plate wood-based porous carbon is achieved via a facile Lewis acid pretreatment and carbonization process. Lewis acid FeCl3 pretreatment on the cell wall of wood not only produces abundant microchannels but also successfully introduces atomically dispersed Fe-N active species into the hierarchical structure. Such uniformly dispersive SACs on the hierarchical structure enhance the ORR/OER performance and durability. A ZAB using the catalyst in the cathode shows a high power density (70.2 mW cm(-2), at quasi solid state) and long-term stability. This work provides a new path for the large-scale preparation of high-performance SACs.

Automated summary

This study achieved in situ formation of single-atom Fe-N-C catalysts on plate wood-based porous carbon through a facile Lewis acid pretreatment and carbonization process, improving the performance and durability of oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. The Zn-air battery using this catalyst exhibited high power density and long-term stability.