ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces · 2023 · 14 citations · 56 references
Natural SciencesChemical EngineeringMaterials ScienceEnergy MaterialsInorganic ChemistryMaterials ChemistryBattery Cell ChemistryBattery MaterialsCatalyst DesignElectrode MaterialsMetal OxidesSupported CatalystsElectronic ConfigurationLong-term StabilityOxygen Reduction CatalystsOxygen Reduction ReactionPhase EngineeringPower DensityRational DesignZinc-air Batteries
Developing highly active and robust oxygen catalysts is of great significance for the commercialization of Zn-air batteries (ZABs) with long-life stability. Herein, heterostructured catalysts comprising molybdenum carbide and metallic Co are prepared by a simple dicyandiamide-assisted pyrolysis strategy. Importantly, the crystalline phase of molybdenum carbide in the catalysts can be carefully regulated by adjusting the CoMo-imidazole precursor and dicyandiamide ratio. The electronic configuration of Co and Mo centers as well as the phase-dependent oxygen reduction reaction performance of these heterostructures (β-Mo 2 C/Co, β-Mo 2 C/η-MoC/Co, and η-MoC/Co) was disclosed. A highly active η-MoC/Co cathode enables ZABs with outstanding long-term stability over 850 h with a low voltage decaying rate of 0.06 mV·h –1 and high peak power density of 162 mW·cm –2 . This work provides a new idea for the rational design of efficient and stable cathode catalysts for ZABs.
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