Constructing FeS and ZnS Heterojunction on N,S-Codoped Carbon as Robust Electrocatalyst toward Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

Highly active and cost-efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are significant for developing renewable energy conversion devices. Herein, a nanocomposite Fe/ZnS-SNC electrocatalyst with an FeS and ZnS heterojunction on N,S-codoped carbon has been fabricated via a facile one-step sulfonating of the pre-designed Zn- and Fe-organic frameworks. Benefitting from the electron transfer from FeS to adjacent ZnS at the heterointerfaces, the optimized Fe/ZnS-SNC900 catalyst exhibits excellent ORR performances, featuring the half-wave potentials of 0.94 V and 0.81 V in alkaline and acidic media, respectively, which is competitive with the commercial 20 wt.% Pt/C (0.87 and 0.76 V). The flexible Zn-air battery equipping Fe/ZnS-SNC900 affords a higher open-circuit voltage (1.45 V) and power density of 30.2 mW cm−2. Fuel cells assembled with Fe/ZnS-SNC900 as cathodic catalysts deliver a higher power output of 388.3 and 242.8 mW cm−2 in H2-O2 and -air conditions. This work proposes advanced heterostructured ORR electrocatalysts that effectively promote renewable energy conversions.