Coordination strategy to prepare high-performance Fe-Nx catalysts for Al-air batteries

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the core reaction of energy conversion devices, such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells and Al-air batteries. Thus, there is an urgent demand for efficient and stable electrocatalysts to accelerate the ORR process. In this study, we present a novel method for preparing Fe-Nx catalysts through the use of electrospinning technology. The catalyst has a one-dimensional fiber structure. Succinonitrile (SN) is used as a complexing agent to stable Fe ions and prevent them from agglomerating during carbonization, thereby forming high-density Fe-Nx sites. The Fe3C nanoparticles produced during pyrolysis can improve the catalytic activity of the Fe-Nx site. The performance of the catalyst was evaluated using a rotating disk electrode (RDE) test in a 0.1 M KOH solution, exhibiting a half-wave potential of 0.925 V vs RHE, which surpasses that of the commercial Pt/C electrode (0.86 V). The assembled aluminum-air battery has an open potential of 2.01 V and a maximum power of 98 mW/cm2. This work provides an innovative method for the direct preparation of Fe-N-C catalysts via electrospinning.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel Fe-Nx catalyst with one-dimensional fiber structure was prepared using electrospinning technology. The catalyst exhibited high-density Fe-Nx sites, leading to improved catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction. The performance evaluation showed that the catalyst achieved a higher half-wave potential compared to the commercial Pt/C electrode. The assembled aluminum-air battery demonstrated high open potential and maximum power, highlighting the potential of this electrospinning method for Fe-N-C catalyst preparation.