Functional Electrocatalysts Derived from Prussian Blue and its Analogues for Metal‐Air Batteries: Progress and Prospects

Abstract

air batteries holding exceptionally high energy densities have been heavily explored recently amongst the promising next generation energy suppliers. However, their development for real application is restricted mainly due to the sluggish rates of the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) in the positive electrode. Thus, searching a facile way to attain highly efficient ORR and OER electrocatalysts are highly desirable. The key factors to improve the electrochemical performance of materials are to optimize their low-dimensional feature and adjust effective compositions. Prussian blue and its analogues (PB/PBAs) with open framework have attracted growing attention as hopeful precursors and templates to diverse transition metal-based materials and carbon hybrids for ORR and OER. Compared to other precursors, PB/PBAs are more feasible for large-scale application due to their easy preparation, low cost, tuneable compositions and great environmental friendliness. In this review, recent progresses in the utilization of PB/PBA to rationally design and synthesize complex composites with controlled morphologies, sizes, and compositions for ORR, OER and metal-air batteries are described in detail. Afterwards, a brief summary of the synthetic methods to complex transition metal-based compositions with nanostructures converted from PB/PBAs are provided. Lastly, the research challenges and possible development direction of open framework materials for metal-air batteries are outlined through analysing the merits and drawbacks of using PB/PBAs as precursors.

Flexible and Wearable Power Sources for Next‐Generation Wearable Electronics

“…On the one hand, the operation of rechargeable metalÀ air batteries bases on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which require the utilization of electrocatalyst on the air cathode. [114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122] On the other hand, the half-opened battery structure pose challenges to the electrolyte materials for metalÀ air batteries.…”

“…One of the greatest challenges of metal−air batteries is the semi‐open battery configuration which should be particularly paid attention in wearable power supplies. On the one hand, the operation of rechargeable metal−air batteries bases on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which require the utilization of electrocatalyst on the air cathode [114–122] . On the other hand, the half‐opened battery structure pose challenges to the electrolyte materials for metal−air batteries.…”

Rational Design and Engineering of Nanomaterials Derived from Prussian Blue and Its Analogs for Electrochemical Water Splitting

“…However, the pristine PB and PBA are seldom directly used as catalysts for electrocatalysis resulting from their poor conductivity and instability especially in strong acid and alkaline solution. PB and PBA often serve as starting materials to prepare various metal and/or carbon‐based catalysts (e. g. transition metal‐based oxides, chalcogenides, phosphides, alloy, heteroatom doping carbons) due to the easy regulation of transition metals, cyanide linker and three‐dimensional porous structures (Figure ) …”

A novel antimicrobial electrochemical glucose biosensor based on silver–Prussian blue‐modified TiO2 nanotube arrays

“…Prussian blue (PB) [Fe 4 [Fe(CN) 6 ] 3 ] is considered an ‘artificial enzyme peroxide’ in electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide due to its high selectivity and electrocatalytic function specific to H 2 O 2 reduction (Karyakin, Gitelmacher, & Karyakina, ; Neff, ). Prussian blue has been investigated as a promising precursor and template to be used in electrocatalysis owing to its easy preparation and low cost (Deng & Wang, ). The traditional Prussian blue synthetic method is based on mixture of ferric (Fe 3+ ) and ferricyanide ([Fe(CN) 6 ] 3− ) ion aqueous solution (Karyakin, ).…”