Advances in Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs) Derived Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts and Their Application in Zinc–Air Batteries

Abstract

The fast growth in human population and the quick cultural advancement of human society leads to the tremendous increase in energy demand. [1] During the past, fossil fuels were used as the main energy sources, while their excessive use based on the conventional combustion technology releases excessive greenhouse gases into the environment, causing adverse impact on the sustainability of ecosystem. To cope with the challenges of stringent environmental legislations and the reliance on fossil fuels, renewable Secondary Zn-air batteries (ZABs) are recognized as one of the most promising power sources for the future with lucrative features of low cost, high energy density, eco-friendliness, and high safety. However, the widespread implementation of ZABs is still hampered by the sluggish oxygen redox reactions. Thus the deployment of cost-effective and highly efficient air electrodes to substitute precious metals (Pt/Ir), is highly challenging, however, highly desired. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are emerging functional materials, which demonstrate several outstanding characteristics, such as high specific surface area, high conductivity, self-doped N, open pore structure, versatile compositions and favourable chemical stability. Through varying the metal/organic moiety or by employing different synthesis protocols, ZIFs with different properties could be obtained. Being adaptable, desired functionalities may be further incorporated into ZIFs through pre-treatment, in situ treatment, and post treatment. Thus, ZIFs are the ideal precursors for the preparation of variety of bi-functional air electrodes for ZABs by materials tuning, morphological control, or by materials hybridization. Here, the recent advances of ZIFs-based materials are critically surveyed from the perspective of synthesis, morphology, structure and properties, and correlated with performance indicators of ZABs. Finally, the major challenges and future prospects of ZIFs associated with ZABs are discussed.

Functionality and design of Co-MOFs: unique opportunities in electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

“…50 Based on the exceptional and unique characteristics of ZIFs, Arafat et al published a review on ZIF-based zinc-air batteries. 51 In recent years, because of their exceptionally large surface area, adjustable porosity, and outstanding thermal and chemical stabilities, ZIF-67-based materials have attracted substantial interest in their synthesis and applications for various electrochemical processes. 52 There are various reviews on the synthesis of ZIF-67-derived materials and their activity for the OER, 53 water splitting, 54 and sensors, 55 but none specifically on the ORR activity of ZIF-67 and its derivatives to the best of our knowledge.…”

Two‐Dimensional Ag−Fe−N/C Nanosheets as Efficient Cathode Catalyst to Improve Power‐Generation Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells

“…Therefore, it is urgent to develop high performance, low cost, and durable cathode catalysts to replace Pt and facilitate the practical application of MFC. Metal‐organic frameworks with good chemical stability, layered porous structure, large specific surface area, and abundant nitrogen sources have become the most common precursors for electrocatalyst preparation [7] . Their derived metal nitrogen doped carbon materials (M−N−C) show great competitiveness in the field of electrocatalysis [8] .…”

“…Metal-organic frameworks with good chemical stability, layered porous structure, large specific surface area, and abundant nitrogen sources have become the most common precursors for electrocatalyst preparation. [7] Their derived metal nitrogen doped carbon materials (MÀ NÀ C) show great competitiveness in the field of electrocatalysis. [8] It is widely reported that FeÀ NÀ C can effectively reduce the ORR overpotential, improve the reaction kinetics, and increase the ORR activity.…”

Regulation of Hydroxyl Radicals Generated by Fe−N−C in Heterogeneous Electro‐Fenton Reaction for Degradation of Organic Pollutants

“…The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important reaction involved in energy transition devices such as fuel cells [1][2][3][4] and metal-air batteries [5][6][7] and wastewater treatment technology such as electro-Fenton (EF) method. [8][9][10][11] As a cathodic reaction for energy transition devices, a 4e-ORR process is strongly desired to gain high efficiency.…”

“…The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important reaction involved in energy transition devices such as fuel cells [1–4] and metal‐air batteries [5–7] and wastewater treatment technology such as electro‐Fenton (EF) method [8–11] …”