Nitrogen-bridged Cu-Zn dual-atom cooperative interface sites for efficient oxygen reduction reaction in Zn-air battery

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Vol. 357; p. 124288
• Main Authors: Wu, Konglin, Li, Sha, Hu, Chuan, Wen, Guoqiang, Zeng, Xuezhi, Wang, Mingyue, Wang, Jieyue, Chu, Mengyuan, Shang, Hengshuai, Ye, Mingfu, Wang, Wenhai, Wu, Fanghui, Peng, Shengjie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.11.2024
• Subjects: Dual-atom sites; Electrocatalysis; N bridge; Oxygen reduction reaction; Zn-air battery; Electrocatalysis; Zn-air battery; Oxygen reduction reaction; N bridge; Dual-atom sites
• ISSN: 0926-3373; 1873-3883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2024.124288

Developing nonprecious catalysts with excellent behaviors for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has assumed considerable importance, but remains an arduous issue. Herein, we demonstrate a Kirkendall effect-pyrolysis (KEP) strategy to construct N-bridged Cu-Zn dual-atom supported on hollow N-doped carbon (Cu-Zn DA/HNC) for ORR. The hollow structure of N-doped carbon facilitates mass transfer and exposes more actives. What’s more, the shared N atom between Cu and Zn atoms is beneficial to enhance their synergetic effect, creating an appropriately enhanced O* binding. The resulting Cu-Zn DA/HNC displays excellent ORR activity in an alkaline electrolyte, following a nearly four-electron pathway of ORR. Even employing Cu-Zn DA/HNC as the cathode in ZABs, Cu-Zn DA/HNC presents a long cycling life up to 910 h and robust low-temperature adaptability. The facile and straightforward fabrication plus the outstanding ORR performance of Cu-Zn DA/HNC endows its great potential as a significant candidate in practical applications of ZAB. [Display omitted] •Nitrogen-bridged Cu-Zn dual-atom cooperative interface sites were fabricated by a Kirkendall effect-pyrolysis strategy.•The shared N between Cu and Zn atoms is rewarding to decrease ORR energy barriers.•The hollow structure of Cu-Zn DA/HNC is beneficial for the exposure of active sites and mass transport.•Cu-Zn DA/HNC presents brilliant ORR performance in an alkaline media.