Exploring Indium‐Based Ternary Thiospinel as Conceivable High‐Potential Air‐Cathode for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries

Abstract

Reversible oxygen reactions in Zn–air batteries require cost‐effective and highly‐active bifunctional electrocatalysts to substitute traditional noble‐metal based catalysts. Herein, a new and promising electrocatalytic material, ternary CoIn2S4 thiospinel, is demonstrated for effectively catalyzing oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions (ORR and OER) with S‐doped reduced graphene oxide (S‐rGO) as an electronic conductor. Compared with Co9S8/S‐rGO (without In doping), the newly developed CoIn2S4/S‐rGO reveals superior electrocatalytic properties for the ORR (half‐wave potential of 0.83 V) and OER (overpotential of 0.37 V at 10 mA cm−2), demonstrating that the introduction of In can promote the reversible oxygen electrode reactions of CoIn2S4. The superior experimentally‐observed electrocatalytic properties are corroborated via density function theory investigations. Meanwhile, the synergistic improvements in the bifunctional activities resulting from the combination of CoIn2S4 and S‐rGO are also confirmed. As a proof of concept, home‐made Zn–air cells are assembled with CoIn2S4/S‐rGO as an air‐cathode. The developed Zn–air cells exhibit a high peak power density (133 mW cm−2) with an energy density of 951 Wh kgZn−1 and robust cycling stability over 150 cycles for 50 h, exceeding of those commercial Pt/C+RuO2 which highlights the practical viability of CoIn2S4/S‐rGO for rechargeable Zn–air batteries.

Heterostructured Catalysts for Electrocatalytic and Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction

“…To overcome these two fundamental problems, technologies developed have to be centered upon achieving a sustainable means for fuel generation as well as focused on achieving carbon neutrality, whereby the net carbon footprint amounts to zero and CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere are largely offset by the removal or conversion of atmospheric CO 2 . [ 14–17 ] Scientific research, over the decades, has identified several key methods for the conversion of CO 2 , classified into biological, chemical, electrochemical, photocatalytic, reforming, and inorganic transformations. [ 18–20 ] This review focuses on the renowned and promising technologies of electrochemical and photocatalytic CO 2 reduction for their great potential in effectively driving conversion of CO 2 into other derivative forms of value‐added fuel.…”

Structural Peculiarities and Thermoelectric Study of Iron Indium Thiospinel

“…The spinel structure is known to be flexible and allows an accommodation of 1) a variety of metallic elements with different atomic size and mass, 2) ordered or disordered arrangement of cations (so‐called normal, inverse, or intermediate structures), and 3) partially occupied crystallographic positions. All these result in a diversity of magnetic, optical, catalytic, electrical, as well as thermoelectric (TE) properties . Many spinels consisting of well‐abundant and environmental‐friendly elements (which is crucial for a possible thermoelectric application) became the object of numerous studies.…”

Oxygen Vacancy–Rich In‐Doped CoO/CoP Heterostructure as an Effective Air Cathode for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries

“…Recent studies suggested that cobalt phosphide (CoP x ) is a class of excellent OER catalyst but its ORR activity is relatively low . Furthermore, doping of indium (In) with transition metals has been reported to improve the reversible oxygen electrocatalysis, as demonstrated by experimental and theoretical studies . Therefore, it is a logical strategy to achieve bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst by the efficient integration of multiple active components into one entirety.…”

“…As compared to In‐CoO/CoP FNS, the CoO/CoP (Figure S15, Supporting Information) and In‐CoP (Figure S16, Supporting Information) samples display inferior ORR and OER activities in terms of higher overpotentials and smaller current densities (Figure S17, Supporting Information). On the one hand, the incorporation of In element can optimize electronic structure of catalysts, facilitating the ORR and OER activities . On the other hand, the strong synergistic effect of heterostructure between CoO and CoP also enhances the ORR and OER performance …”