Edge-rich Co/N-doped 3D nanosheet stacked carbon as an efficient dual-function electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn-air battery

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2023-08, Vol.137, p.110145, Article 110145
• Main Authors: Su, Keke, Liu, Xili, Wang, Luyan, Liu, Wenfeng, Niu, Fuquan, Dong, Hongyu, Cao, Zhaoxia, Xu, Shizhou, Shi, Shuie, Yang, Shuting, Yin, Yanhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D nanosheet stacked; Dual-function electrocatalysts; Pinning effect; Zeolite-like metalorganic frameworks; Zn-air battery
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2023.110145

The development of high-efficiency oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) dual-function electrocatalysts based on transition metal and nitrogen co-doped carbon material is vital to the development of rechargeable Zn-air battery. In this work, dual-function oxygen electrocatalysts of 2D graphene-like (NC) and 3D nanosheet stacked carbon (CNC) derived from Zn-based zeolite-like metalorganic frameworks were prepared from the complex of imidazole-4, 5-dicarboxylic acid (4,5-Imdc) with only zinc nitrate (4,5-Imdc-Zn) or zinc and cobalt nitrate (4,5-Imdc-ZnCo). Morphology and catalytic activity of NC and CNC were studied in detail. After high temperature calcination, 4,5-Imdc-Zn developed into a 2D graphene-like structure (NC). While derivative of 4,5-Imdc-ZnCo appears a 3D nanosheet stacked (CNC) structure induced by a “pinning effect” of the existing Co ions. With increased defects, edges and Co-Nx active sites compared to NC, CNC shows more excellent electrocatalytic activity. [Display omitted] •The catalyst (CNC) was derived from Zn-based zeolite-like metalorganic frameworks.•CNC shows a 3D nanosheet stacked structure with more defects and edges than NC.•CNC has an excellent ORR/OER dual-function catalytic activity.•CNC shows a cycling stability of over 180 h in zinc-air battery (ZAB).•CNC has a higher power density and specific capacity (175 mW cm-2, 870.6 mA h gZn-1).