Dual-metal M-N-C (M = Mn, Co) as an effective oxygen electrocatalyst for zinc-air battery

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2023-12, Vol.968, p.172136, Article 172136
• Main Authors: Wei, Wan, Deng, Ximing, Zhao, Kai, Zhang, Miao, Zhou, Huili, Wang, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon-based material; Oxygen electrocatalyst; Zn-air battery
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.172136

Developing high-active and low-cost non-noble metal electrocatalysts is an efficient strategy for design of advanced rechargeable Zn-air battery (ZAB). Herein, an oxygen electrocatalyst of Prussian-blue-analogues derived MnCo dual-metal M-N-C (PBA-MnCo-N-C) is prepared using a carbonization method. The electrochemical tests show that, it owns good oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performances with the onset potential of 0.966 V and half-wave potential of 0.859 V, almost approaching that of Pt/C catalysts. Simultaneously, a good oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity is also obtained, with a potential of 1.844 V at 10 mA cm−2. In the practical application, as-assembled ZAB with PBA-MnCo-N-C exhibits high open circuit potential (1.48 V) and peak power density (102.25 mW cm−2), and after continuous discharge and charge for more than 160 h, the PBA-MnCo-N-C based ZAB manifests a favorable charge-discharge stability. This work provides a good reference of constructing bimetallic catalyst for high-efficiency oxygen electrocatalysis. [Display omitted] •A prussian blue analogue-derived MnCo-N-C oxygen electrocatalyst was developed.•Dual-metal M-N-C catalyst of PBA-MnCo-N-C has good ORR/OER performance.•PBA-Mn-Co/NC-driven ZAB displays good power density and cycling stability.