Synergy between copper single atoms and cobalt particles for high performance frigostable aqueous Al-air batteries

The performance of Al-air batteries remain stagnant due to sluggish air cathode reactions, especially in cold environments. Therefore, it is urgent to explore aqueous Al-air batteries to equip an efficient catalyst for application under low temperature. Here, copper single atoms (Cu1) and cobalt particles (Cop) decorated N doped carbon (Cu1Cop-N-C) were synthesized via carbonization of Cu, Co co-doped ZIF-8 combined with MWCNTs. The synergistic effect in Cu1-Cop active sites and unique 1D-3D porous nanostructure endow Cu1Cop-N-C with high oxygen reduction activities: high onset and half-wave potential (0.98 V and 0.87 V vs RHE, respectively). Consequently, the Al-air batteries with Cu1Cop-N-C show remarkable performance in a wide service temperature range (-40-50 degrees C). Such alkaline Al-air battery provides a high start voltage from 0.7 V with a peak power density of about 16.58 mW cm-2 at-40 degrees C. It is expected that such metal single atoms with neighbored heterogeneous metallic particles could be extended in various energy conversion and storage fields.

Automated summary

The performance of Al-air batteries, particularly in cold environments, has remained stagnant due to sluggish air cathode reactions. To address this issue, aqueous Al-air batteries were explored with an efficient catalyst for application under low temperature. Cu1Cop-N-C, synthesized by carbonization of Cu, Co co-doped ZIF-8 combined with MWCNTs, exhibited high oxygen reduction activities due to the synergistic effect in Cu1-Cop active sites and its unique 1D-3D porous nanostructure. Al-air batteries with Cu1Cop-N-C demonstrated remarkable performance in a wide service temperature range (-40-50 degrees C), providing a high start voltage of 0.7 V and a peak power density of about 16.58 mW cm-2 at -40 degrees C. It is anticipated that these metal single atoms with neighbored heterogeneous metallic particles could have broader applications in diverse energy conversion and storage fields.