Hydrothermal two‐dimensionalisation to porous ZnCo ₂ O ₄ nanosheets non‐platinum ORR catalyst

Abstract

Ultrathin porous spinel structure ZnCo 2 O 4 nanosheets (ZCONSs) are successfully prepared by a facile combination of hexamethylenetetramine-assisted mild water bath reaction and a heat treatment process. The ultrathin film shape and porous of the as-prepared ZCONSs were demonstrated by a transmission electron microscope. Such a specific nanostructure of the as-prepared ZCONS provided an efficient charge transfer process, as well as an efficient mass transport process. Therefore, in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) test, ZCONS shows good electrocatalytic ability. Additionally, because of the ultrathin nanosheets possess enough extra free space for alleviating, so that endow long-term cycling stability, make the catalyst possesses superior durability and excellent methanol tolerance ability.

Research progress of Co-based spinel oxide materials for direct methanol fuel cells

“…On the other hand, ZnCo 2 O 4 is a P-type semiconductor material with a band gap energy of 2.6 eV due to its spinel structure, and has excellent energy harvesting performance, which has attracted special attention. 102 Thus far, various nanostructures of ZnCo 2 O 4 , such as nanosheets (a simple combination of hexamethylenetetramine-assisted mild water bath reaction and heat treatment methods), 103 hollow porous microspheres (simple solution-based assembly followed by calcination in an air atmosphere), 104 rods (microwave synthesis), 105 and urchin-like structures (hydrothermal), 106 have been prepared and used as electrode materials for MORs. Sreekanth et al 107 synthesized Lilac flower (LF)-like ZnCo 2 O 4 materials using a fast microwave radiation method, as shown in Fig.…”

Recent progress in ZnCo2O4and its composites for energy storage and conversion: a review

“…However, some improvement strategies for these materials can be highlighted, as a guide for future research. For instance, many catalysts with different morphologies such as nanosheets, 130,260 flower like structures 130 and nearspherical particles 235 have been recently reported.…”