Synergistic Zn and MoS <sub>2</sub> Tailored Co−N/C Environments Enabling Bifunctional ORR/OER Electrocatalysis for Advanced Li−O <sub>2</sub> Batteries
Zhiyang Wang, Qi Zhang, Wenhong Liu, Hao Luo, Xianghua Kong, Qingchun Yang, Dawei Zhang, Yan Yu
Abstract
Abstract To better adapt lithium‐oxygen batteries (LOBs) and overcome their sluggish oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER) kinetics, designing efficient bifunctional ORR/OER catalytic materials is essential. In this study, we successfully constructed a bifunctional ZnCo−N/C@MoS 2 catalyst by tailoring the Co−N/C center with Zn incorporation and MoS 2 encapsulation. Surprisingly, Zn atoms, which are typically considered to promote the Co atoms isolation, exhibit a promoting effect on the ORR performance of Co−N/C centers and enhance their stability under harsh conditions. Introducing MoS 2 establishes Mo−N coupling centers, enhancing electron transfer and adjusting the charge density of Co active centers, thereby compensating OER activity limitation of ZnCo−N/C. In Li−O 2 batteries, Zn and MoS 2 synergistically optimize intermediate interactions and regulate LiO 2 formation/decomposition, while Zn′s environmental adaptability and MoS 2 ′s encapsulating protection jointly enhance operational stability. Results show that ZnCo−N/C@MoS 2 , serving as the oxygen electrode in Li−O 2 batteries, achieves a low overpotential of 1.01 V, an ultra‐high specific capacity of 25,026 mAh g −1 , and a long cycle life of 298 cycles. This work achieves bifunctionality in single‐atom catalysts through precise dual modulation of the catalytic environment, providing a novel strategy for the development of lithium‐oxygen batteries.