Co formic-acid framework derived CoP/Co2P heterostructures confined in N, P-doped carbon as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for zinc-air batteries

• Published in: Journal of energy storage 2024-12, Vol.104, p.114580, Article 114580
• Main Authors: Gao, Heju, Wu, Qihao, Jiang, Jiahui, Zhao, Ting, Feng, Yuying, Wu, Chunyan, Xu, Guancheng, Zhang, Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst; CoP/Co2P nanoparticles; Heterogeneous structure; P doped carbon; Zinc-air batteries
• ISSN: 2352-152X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2024.114580

Reasonable construction of efficient bifunctional catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) counts a great deal for the development and application of rechargeable zinc-air batteries. Herein, we prepared nano-sized heterostructural particles of cobalt phosphides (CoP/Co2P) confined in N, P-codoped cubic through simple grinding combined with vapor deposition method using the Co formic-acid framework (Co-FF) as the precursor. Benefit from the synergistic effect between the coexistence of abundant active sites including Co sites derived the CoP/Co2P nanoparticles, graphitic-N, pyridinic-N species and regulation of heterojunction interface electrons, the CoP/Co2P@NPC-800 catalyst exhibited excellent bifunctional catalytic activity toward ORR and OER, slightly better than commercial 20 % Pt/C. The liquid zinc-air battery demonstrates a specific capacity of 720.1 mAh g−1 and outstanding stability exceeds 250 h, comparable to 20 % Pt/C. Moreover, the flexible zinc-air battery can maintain good stability under different angles of bending. This study has a certain theoretical guiding significance for the rational regulation of the phase of cobalt-based phosphide to fabricate bifunctional oxygen catalysts for metal-air battery applications. The nano-sized CoP/Co2P heterostructural particles confined in N, P-codoped carbon were prepared as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for zinc–air batteries. [Display omitted] •Heterostructural particles (CoP/Co2P) confined in N, P-doped cubic were synthesized.•The synergistic effect between active nitrogen species and regulation of heterojunction interface electrons.•The liquid ZAB demonstrates a high specific capacity and outstanding stability.•The flexible ZAB can maintain good stability under different angles of bending.•The work provides a viable approach to prepare TMP electrocatalysts for energy applications.