In situ coupling of NiFe nanoparticles with N-doped carbon nanofibers for Zn-air batteries driven water splitting

A flexible 3D free-standing bifunctional electrode has been successfully constructed by in-situ coupling of NiFe nanoparticles and N-doped carbon nanofibers on carbon cloth (NiFe/NCNF/CC). The 3D network structure is formed by the cross-linking of slender N-doped carbon nanofibers, which provides large specific surface area and ensures fast electron/charge transfer. The in-situ coupling in 3D space of NiFe particles and N-doped carbon nanofibers provide sufficient and stable reactive sites for both OER and ORR. Therefore, NiFe/NCNF/CC electrode exhibits efficient and stable ORR and OER performance. The NiFe/NCNF/CC electrode assembled Zinc-air battery exhibits a high power density of 140.1 mW cm(-2) and excellent charge/discharge stability for 700 cycles. Interestingly, the flexible Zinc-air battery delivers flexible and foldable mechanical properties and a low voltage gap of 0.55 V at 1.0 mA cm(-2). Furthermore, two liquid Zinc-air batteries are served as stable power for the selfassembled water-splitting device.

Automated summary

A flexible 3D free-standing bifunctional electrode, NiFe/NCNF/CC, was successfully constructed by in-situ coupling of NiFe nanoparticles and N-doped carbon nanofibers on carbon cloth. This electrode exhibits efficient and stable ORR and OER performance, and showed high power density and excellent charge/discharge stability in Zinc-air battery assembly. Additionally, two liquid Zinc-air batteries were used for stable power supply in a self-assembled water-splitting device.