Plasma-engineered cobalt nanoparticle encapsulated N-doped graphene nanoplatelets as high-performance oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts for aluminum-air batteries

The increasing demand for continuous and eco-friendly alternative energy has prompted interest in aluminum-air (Al-air) batteries owing to their high energy density and safety. On the other hand, the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) rate in alkaline electrolytes, which adversely affects the efficiency of the Al-air battery, is still a challenge. A transition metal electrocatalyst consisting of cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated with Ndoped graphene nanoplatelets (Co@N/GNP) was synthesized by plasma engineering. In this design, the active Co nanoparticle acted as the ORR active site and the core-shell structure of dominant pyridinic-N graphene led to outstanding catalytic performance (E1/2 = 0.87 V, Eonset = 0.98 V) in an alkaline electrolyte. Furthermore, when applied as a cathode catalyst in practical Al-air batteries, Co@N/GNP showed excellent performance with a peak power density of 143 mW cm-2.

Automated summary

The increasing demand for continuous and eco-friendly alternative energy has led to interest in aluminum-air (Al-air) batteries due to their high energy density and safety. However, the slow oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) rate in alkaline electrolytes remains a challenge that affects the efficiency of the Al-air battery. A transition metal electrocatalyst, Co@N/GNP, consisting of cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated with Ndoped graphene nanoplatelets, was synthesized using plasma engineering. The Co@N/GNP exhibited outstanding catalytic performance in an alkaline electrolyte and showed excellent performance as a cathode catalyst in practical Al-air batteries with a peak power density of 143 mW cm-2.