Structural Design Strategy and Active Site Regulation of High‐Efficient Bifunctional Oxygen Reaction Electrocatalysts for Zn–Air Battery

Abstract

Zinc–air batteries (ZABs) exhibit high energy density as well as flexibility, safety, and portability, thereby fulfilling the requirements of power batteries and consumer batteries. However, the limited efficiency and stability are still the significant challenge. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are two crucial cathode reactions in ZABs. Development of bifunctional ORR/OER catalysts with high efficiency and well stability is critical to improve the performance of ZABs. In this review, the ORR and OER mechanisms are first explained. Further, the design principles of ORR/OER electrocatalysts are discussed in terms of atomic adjustment mechanism and structural design in conjunction with the latest reported in situ characterization techniques, which provide useful insights on the ORR/OER mechanisms of the catalyst. The improvement in the energy efficiency, stability, and environmental adaptability of the new hybrid ZAB by the inclusion of additional reaction, including the introduction of transition‐metal redox couples in the cathode and the addition of modifiers in the electrolyte to change the OER pathway, is also summarized. Finally, current challenges and future research directions are presented.

Tuning d‐Band Center of Pt by PtCo‐PtSn Heterostructure for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction Performance

“…[11][12][13] In detail, the surface of catalyst overbinding to oxygen will impede the desorption of oxygen species, while weak bonding strength will hamper the breakage of OO bond. [14,15] Therefore, constructing a highly active catalyst with optimal O ad adsorption strength is an effective strategy to enhance the ORR activity. [16][17][18] Recently, combing Pt with transition metals (e.g., Fe, Co, Ni) to form the Pt-alloy has been undoubtedly an efficient strategy…”

Coupling Fe3C Nanoparticles and N‐Doping on Wood‐Derived Carbon to Construct Reversible Cathode for Zn–Air Batteries

“…To explore new generation energy storage and conversion technology is of importance for the sustainable development of human society. [1,2] Zinc (Zn)-air battery (ZAB) has been regarded as the most promising energy storage system due to its high theoretical energy density, low cost, safety, and environmental friendliness. [3][4][5][6] As a key half reaction of ZAB, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) involving multiple electron transfer steps generally undergoes slow kinetics.…”

Ru Coordinated ZnIn2S4 Triggers Local Lattice‐Strain Engineering to Endow High‐Efficiency Electrocatalyst for Advanced Zn‐Air Batteries

“…[11] Specifically, the lattice tensile/compressive strain causes the d-orbital state density center of the relevant metal to rise/decrease, facilitating the d-band center to access/deviate the Fermi level, thus impairing/enhancing the interaction between catalyst surface and adsorbed species. [12] In response, triggering lattice strain to tune the local electronic structure, reduce the migration barrier, and enhance the reaction pathway to achieve efficient catalytic ability is deemed as an alternative tactic. [13] But, lattice strain is strongly associated with crystal morphology, size, and lattice mismatch effect, which complicates the identification of strain-activity correlation.…”