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Molten‐Salt Media Synthesis of N‐Doped Carbon Tubes Containing Encapsulated Co Nanoparticles as a Bifunctional Air Cathode for Zinc‐Air Batteries
Author(s) -
Dong Qing,
Wang Hui,
Ji Shan,
Wang Xuyun,
Mo Zaiyong,
Linkov Vladimir,
Wang Rongfang
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201905268
Subject(s) - bifunctional , materials science , cathode , nanoparticle , electrochemistry , carbon fibers , chemical engineering , zinc , battery (electricity) , cobalt , oxygen evolution , molten salt , carbon nanotube , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , catalysis , electrode , metallurgy , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , composite number , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Cost efficient bifunctional air cathodes possessing high electrocatalytic activity are of great importance for the development of secondary Zn‐air batteries. In this work, cobalt nanoparticles are encapsulated within a 3D N‐doped open network of carbon tubes (Co@N‐CNTs) by a molten‐salt synthesis procedure conducted at a high temperature. Physical characterization demonstrates that Co@N‐CNTs are comprised of Co particle inserted carbon tubes with mesoporous tube walls, providing significant active surface area for electrochemical reactions. High electrocatalytic activity of Co@N‐CNTs towards both oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions is due to its well‐developed active surface and a synergistic effect between N‐doped carbon and Co nanoparticles. Both primary and secondary Zn‐air battery cells assembled using Co@N‐CNTs as an air cathode show higher electrochemical performance than similar cells containing commercial Pt/C and Pt/C +RuO 2 , making the newly developed material a promising alternative to existing metal‐based air cathodes.