Agarose-gel-based self-limiting synthesis of a bimetal (Fe and Co)-doped composite as a bifunctional catalyst for a zinc-air battery

Exploring efficient noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for the development of rechargeable Zn-air batteries. Herein, a selflimiting method using an agarose gel was proposed to prepare bimetallic (iron and cobalt) nitrogendoped carbon composites (FeCo-NC). The resulting FeCo-NC catalyst has a high surface area and a hierarchical porous structure. The optimized FeCo-NC electrocatalyst exhibits a small potential difference (DE) = 0.72 V between the ORR half-wave potential and the OER potential at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 in alkaline media. Impressively, the FeCo-NC Zn-air battery exhibits a high open-circuit voltage, large power density, and outstanding charge-discharge cycling stability. This study provides an effective means of designing electrocatalysts and energy conversion systems. CO 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a self-limiting method using agarose gel was proposed to prepare bimetallic (iron and cobalt) nitrogen-doped carbon composites (FeCo-NC) as efficient electrocatalysts. The optimized FeCo-NC catalyst exhibited a small potential difference between the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) half-wave potential and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) potential, and demonstrated excellent performance in Zn-air batteries. This research provides an effective means of designing electrocatalysts and energy conversion systems.