2D Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes/Graphene Hybrid as Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Long‐Life Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries

Abstract

The rational construction of efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is of immense significance yet challenging for rechargeable metal-air batteries. Herein, this work reports a metal-organic framework derived 2D nitrogendoped carbon nanotubes/graphene hybrid as the efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc-air batteries. The as-obtained hybrid exhibits excellent catalytic activity and durability for the oxygen electrochemical reactions due to the synergistic effect by the hierarchical structure and heteroatom doping. The assembled rechargeable zinc-air battery achieves a high power density of 253 mW cm −2 and specific capacity of 801 mAh g Zn −1 with excellent cycle stability of over 3000 h at 5 mA cm −2 .Moreover, the flexible solid-state rechargeable zinc-air batteries assembled by this hybrid oxygen electrocatalyst exhibits a high discharge power density of 223 mW cm −2 , which can power 45 light-emitting diodes and charge a cellphone. This work provides valuable insights in designing efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for long-life metal-air batteries and related energy conversion technologies.

Size effects of platinum particles@CNT on HER and ORR performance

“…As shown in Fig. 3a and the data in Table S3, the C 1s spectra were deconvoluted into five peaks at about 284.8, 285.4, 286.1, 287.4 and 288.6 eV, belonging to graphitic C, C-N, C-O, C=O and O-C=O, respectively, suggesting the interaction between N and the surrounding C atoms [33,34]. Especially, C=O and O-C=O peaks were found only after the deposition of Pt due to that the phenols of PDA can act as nucleation sites and self-reducing agents which convert catechol to quinone or O-C=O during the photo-reduction process [30].…”

Metal–organic framework based bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc–air batteries: current progress and prospects

“…15A). 161 The 2D hierarchical structure with rich Co-N-C active species boost the ORR and OER performance of the GNCNTs. High power densities of 253 mW cm À2 and 223 mW cm À2 were achieved in liquid and exible solid state ZABs, respectively.…”

Defect Engineering of Carbon‐based Electrocatalysts for Rechargeable Zinc‐air Batteries

“…and carbon supports. [40,80] In addition, both the metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frame-works (COFs) are also considered as promising precursors for rational dispersion of metals into carbon scaffolds. [18,63,71,81]…”

“…Another method to introduce metal elements into carbon materials is hybrid electrocatalysts, which consist of TM‐based particles (including metals, alloys, oxides, nitrides, sulfides, etc.) and carbon supports [40,80] . In addition, both the metal‐organic‐frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are also considered as promising precursors for rational dispersion of metals into carbon scaffolds [18,63,71,81] …”