Open AccessSurface Phosphorus‐Induced CoO Coupling to Monolithic Carbon for Efficient Air Electrode of Quasi‐Solid‐State Zn–Air Batteries
Author(s) -
Liu Huan,
Liu Yanyan,
Mehdi Sehrish,
Wu Xianli,
Liu Tao,
Zhou Benji,
Zhang Pengxiang,
Jiang Jianchun,
Li Baojun
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.202101314
Subject(s) - materials science , overpotential , chemical engineering , electrode , catalysis , dissociation (chemistry) , carbon fibers , nanoparticle , electrochemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , biochemistry , composite number , engineering
One challenge facing the development of air electrodes for Zn–air batteries (ZABs) is the embedment of active sites into carbon, which requires cracks and blends between powder and membrane and results in low energy efficiency during manufacturing and utilization. Herein, a surface phosphorization‐monolithic strategy is proposed to embed CoO nanoparticles into paulownia carbon plate (P–CoO@PWC) as monolithic electrodes. Benefiting from the retention of natural transport channels, P–CoO@PWC‐2 is conducive to the construction of three‐phase interface structure for efficient mass transfer and high electrical conductivity. The electrode exhibits remarkable catalytic activities for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with a small overpotential gap ( E OER − E ORR = 0.68 V). Density functional theory calculations reveal that the incorporation of P on P–CoO@PWC‐2 surface adjusts the electronic structure to promote the dissociation of water and the activation of oxygen, thus inducing catalytic activity. The monolithic P–CoO@PWC‐2 electrode for quasi‐solid‐state or aqueous ZABs has excellent specific power, low charge–discharge voltage gap (0.83 V), and long‐term cycling stability (over 700 cycles). This work serves as a new avenue for transforming abundant biomass into high‐value energy‐related engineering products.