Graphitic‐shell encapsulated FeNi alloy/nitride nanocrystals on biomass‐derived N‐doped carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn‐air battery

Abstract

Abstract Oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OERs) catalysts play a key role in the metal‐air battery and water‐splitting process. Herein, we developed a facile template‐free method to fabricate a new type of non–noble metal‐based hybrid catalyst which consists of binary FeNi alloy/nitride nanocrystals with graphitic‐shell and biomass‐derived N‐doped carbon (NC) (Fe x Ni y N@C/NC). This novel nanostructure exhibits superior performance for ORR/OER, which can be attributed to the strong interactions between the graphitic‐shell encapsulated FeNi alloy/nitride nanocrystals and the N‐doped porous carbon substrate. The X‐ray absorption spectroscopy technique was employed to reveal the underlying mechanisms for the excellent performance. The assembled Zn‐air battery device exhibits outstanding charging/discharging performance and cycling stability, indicating the great potential of this type of novel catalysts.