FeCoP2 Nanoparticles Embedded in a Hybrid Carbon Matrix as a High Performance Bifunctional Catalyst of the Advanced Zinc-Air Battery

The novel catalyst (FeCoP2-CNC) is constructed by inserting the bimetallic phosphide into a hybrid carbon substrate. The structures associated with the active sites are optimized by incorporating ultrafine cellulose fibers as a carbon source. The increased graphitic-N and metal-N species in the carbon matrix, with the enlarged specific surface area, improves the performance of catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction. The increased proportion of surface metal hydroxide active sites improves the performance of catalyzing oxygen evolution reaction. As a high performance bifunctional catalyst, the FeCoP2-CNC is applied to a rechargeable zinc-air battery and exhibits excellent performance in the battery. The solid-state zinc-air battery has achieved an excellent power density (76.9 mW cm-2) and can cycle over 45 h. The solid-state zinc-air batteries are integrated into 2 x 2 and 3 x 3 modules to power practical devices. This work provides efficient approaches to enhance the performance of bifunctional catalysts, promoting the application of zinc-air batteries.

Automated summary

The novel catalyst (FeCoP2-CNC) is constructed by incorporating bimetallic phosphide into a hybrid carbon substrate. The incorporation of ultrafine cellulose fibers optimizes the structures associated with the active sites. The increased graphitic-N and metal-N species in the carbon matrix, along with the enlarged specific surface area, enhance the performance of catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction. The increased proportion of surface metal hydroxide active sites improves the performance of catalyzing oxygen evolution reaction. The FeCoP2-CNC bifunctional catalyst exhibits excellent performance in a rechargeable zinc-air battery, achieving an excellent power density (76.9 mW cm-2) and cycling over 45 hours. Integrated into practical devices, the solid-state zinc-air batteries show great potential in power applications. Efficient approaches to enhance the performance of bifunctional catalysts are provided, promoting the application of zinc-air batteries.