N, P‐doped CoS₂ Embedded in TiO₂ Nanoporous Films for Zn–Air Batteries

Abstract

Abstract The search for efficient and cost‐effective catalysts for bifunctional oxygen reduction and evolution reaction (ORR and OER) is highly demanded because of the sluggish four‐electron transfer involved redox reactions in Zn–air batteries (ZABs). Herein, (N, P) codoped CoS 2 nanoclusters embedded inside TiO 2 nanoporous films (denoted as N, P/CoS 2 @TiO 2 NPFs) are synthesized as novel bifunctional ORR/OER catalysts for ZABs. The catalytic activity and stability are promoted by the (N, P)‐dopants due to the enhanced conductivity, increased active surface area, and facilitated reaction kinetics. The N, P/CoS 2 @TiO 2 NPFs exhibit exceptional onset potentials of 0.91 and 1.41 V for ORR and OER, respectively. When used as cathodes in ZABs, the N, P/CoS 2 @TiO 2 NPFs exhibit a reduced charge–discharge gap of 0.8 V at 10 mA cm −2 and a stable cycling performance over 130 h, surpassing the conventional Pt/C+IrO 2 catalysts. Moreover, the assembled ZABs delivering a specific capacity of 610 mAh g −1 can be used for flexible devices. This work provides a path for the rational design of bifunctional electrocatalyst for ZABs.