FeCo Alloy Nanoparticles Supported on Co–N–C Cubes Derived from Imidazolate Frameworks as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries
Jiahuan Zhong, Zhaogen Zhu, Qianqun Xu, Lijuan Peng, Kaifen Luo, Dingsheng Yuan
Abstract
Recently, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as attractive precursors to prepare electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction (ORR and OER). Herein, the FeCo alloy nanoparticles supported on Co–N–C (FeCo/Co–N–C) as an efficient catalyst were obtained through high-temperature pyrolysis. The regulation of the electronic structure of the catalyst by Fe doping, coupled with the strong interaction between the FeCo nanoalloy and N-doped amorphous carbon, leads to the formation of Fe–N and Co–N bonds, which, in turn, create a multitude of active centers. Accordingly, optimized FeCo/Co–N–C exhibits excellent ORR/OER activity with a potential difference of 0.75 V, even close to commercial Pt/C + RuO 2 (0.74 V). Furthermore, as an air electrode in a rechargeable liquid zinc–air battery, the catalyst exhibits a superior power density (188 mW cm –2 ) and high cyclic stability. The flexible batteries exhibit good stability and power a small electronic watch.