Recent advances and future perspectives in engineering of bifunctional electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

The engineering of efficient oxygen electrocatalysts are crucially desired for electrically rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) to drive oxygen electrochemical reactions. ZABs have attracted great studies attentions because of their excessive energy density, high abundance of zinc, value-effectiveness, and high safety, in addition to low-level of pollutants. However, technical challenges associated with sluggish rates of oxygen reactions have not begun to be resolved. In this review, ZAB configuration and basic aspects of oxygen electrochemistry of the air electrode are in short delivered first. Then, the latest improvement in engineering of oxygen electrocatalysts for ZABs is specific mentioned following four aspects: precious metals/alloys, transition metal, transition-metal oxides (perovskites, single/mixed-metal oxides, and spinels), and carbon-based materials. Finally, challenges and future perspectives of engineering of bifunctional catalysts for ZABs with high catalytic activity and durability are recommended. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

This paper focuses on the importance of engineering efficient oxygen electrocatalysts for electrically rechargeable zinc-air batteries to drive oxygen electrochemical reactions, while summarizing the current technical challenges and future developments.