Open AccessEncapsulating Cobalt Nanoparticles in Interconnected N‐Doped Hollow Carbon Nanofibers with Enriched CoNC Moiety for Enhanced Oxygen Electrocatalysis in Zn‐Air Batteries
Author(s) -
Lu Qi,
Wu Han,
Zheng Xuerong,
Chen Yanan,
Rogach Andrey L.,
Han Xiaopeng,
Deng Yida,
Hu Wenbin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202101438
Subject(s) - bifunctional , electrocatalyst , materials science , oxygen evolution , chemical engineering , nanoparticle , cobalt , moiety , catalysis , bimetallic strip , nanofiber , nanotechnology , chemistry , electrode , electrochemistry , organic chemistry , engineering , metallurgy
Rational design of bifunctional efficient electrocatalysts for both oxygen reduction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER) is desirable—while highly challenging—for development of rechargeable metal–air batteries. Herein, an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst is designed and fabricated by encapsulating Co nanoparticles in interconnected N‐doped hollow porous carbon nanofibers (designated as Co@N‐C/PCNF) using an ultrafast high‐temperature shock technology. Benefiting from the synergistic effect and intrinsic activity of the CoNC moiety, as well as porous structure of carbon nanofibers, the Co@N‐C/PCNF composite shows high bifunctional electrocatalytic activities for both OER (289 mV at 10 mA cm −2 ) and ORR (half‐wave potential of 0.85 V). The CoNC moiety in the composite can modulate the local environmental and electrical structure of the catalysts, thus optimizing the adsorption/desorption kinetics and decreasing the reaction barriers for promoting the reversible oxygen electrocatalysis. Co@N‐C/PCNF‐based aqueous Zn–air batteries (AZAB) provide high power density of 292 mW cm −2 , and the assembled flexible ZAB can power wearable devices.