N-CNT supported Fe/Ce bimetallic catalyst for Al-air aqueous batteries

Development and design of low-cost and efficient cathode catalysts for the commercialization application implementation of high electrochemical performance aluminum-air (Al-air) battery will be of significant importance. Herein, we have synthesized nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube (N-CNT) supported Fe/Ce bimetallic catalyst (Fe/Ce-NCNT) by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) strategy. Ce metal better catalyze the growth of carbon nanotubes, anchoring more iron atoms and increasing the number of Fe-NX active site. The Fe/Ce-NCNT-0.2 catalyst shows an excellent ORR ability (E1/2 = 0.88 V) in alkaline media, attributing to its high conductivity, hierarchical micropores/mesopores structure, abundant active sites. Moreover, the assembled aqueous Al-air battery with Fe/Ce-NCNT-0.2 exhibits a high performance with the power density of 164 mW cm-2 and en-ergy density of 2409 Wh Kg-1 at 100 mA cm-2. The Fe/Ce-NCNT-0.2 possesses high voltage under high current density load, manifesting great commercial potential.

Automated summary

The development and design of low-cost and efficient cathode catalysts for high electrochemical performance aluminum-air batteries is of great significance. Here, nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube supported Fe/Ce bimetallic catalysts were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. The Fe/Ce-NCNT-0.2 catalyst showed excellent oxygen reduction reaction ability in alkaline media and the assembled Al-air battery exhibited high performance, indicating great commercial potential.