One-pot synthesis of FeNxC as efficient catalyst for high-performance zinc-air battery

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZAB) with a high theoretical energy density of 1086 Wh kg(-1), have received tremendous research attention. However, the practical application of ZABs is still limited by high polarization and poor energy efficiency (low power density) due to the sluggish 4 electrons (e-)/oxygen (O-2) kinetics over the air electrode. Here, a noble-metal-free FeNxC electrocatalyst is developed via a one pot approach, which provides a high density of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) active site and facilitates the ORR kinetics. Accordingly, the as-assembled Zn-air battery displayed a low charge-discharge voltage gap of 0.71 Vat 10 mA cm(-2), a remarkable peak power density as high as 181.2 mW cm(-2), as well as the long-term durability for hundreds of hours, among the top level of those reported previously. Our work provides a major boost for the practical application of Zn-air battery in the future. (C) 2021 Published by ELSEVIER B.V. and Science Press on behalf of Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Automated summary

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries have high theoretical energy density but suffer from high polarization and low energy efficiency. A noble-metal-free FeNxC electrocatalyst was developed to enhance oxygen reduction reaction kinetics, leading to improved performance in charge-discharge voltage gap, peak power density, and long-term durability. This work provides significant support for the practical application of zinc-air batteries in the future.