Core–shell C@SnO2 as bifunctional cathode electrocatalyst for high performance Zn-air batteries

• Published in: Ionics 2023-03, Vol.29 (3), p.1149-1157
• Main Authors: Zeng, Panjing, Zhang, Chaomin, Ding, Mengzhao, Huang, Yuchen, Luo, Menghao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Catalytic activity; Cathodes; Charging; Chemical reduction; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Core-shell structure; Discharge; Electrical resistivity; Electrocatalysts; Electrochemistry; Energy conversion efficiency; Energy Storage; Metal air batteries; Nanospheres; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper; Oxygen evolution reactions; Oxygen reduction reactions; Reaction kinetics; Renewable and Green Energy; Stability; Tin dioxide; Zinc-oxygen batteries
• ISSN: 0947-7047; 1862-0760
• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-022-04854-3

The slow reaction kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) during the charging and discharging process result in inferior cycle life and low-energy conversion efficiency of commercial zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Stannic oxide (SnO 2 ) has received increasing attention for its unique advantages such as low cost, good stability, and high catalytic activity. In present work, mesoporous nanosphere carbon@stannic oxide (C@SnO 2 ) core–shell structures with C as the inner layer and SnO 2 as the outer shell are successfully prepared. When C@SnO 2 serves as the cathode for ZABs, its specific surface area (245 m 2  g −1 ) provides amounts of chemically active sites for ORR and OER. Similarly, carbon can not only increase the electrical conductivity of electrocatalyst, but also act as a support body for the core–shell structure which gives the material a robust structure and distinctive morphology. When C@SnO 2 are employed as cathode in ZABs, it exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity with half-wave potential (0.88 V) for ORR and onset potential (1.45 V) for OER. In addition, it shows a superior charging-discharging cycle stability. This work offers an insight for the selection and preparation of high-performance electrocatalysts.