Co<sub>2</sub>N Nanoparticles Anchored on N‐Doped Active Carbon as Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Zinc–Air Battery
Xianli Wu, Guosheng Han, Hao Wen, Yanyan Liu, Lei Han, Xingyu Cui, Jiajing Kou, Baojun Li, Jianchun Jiang
Abstract
The development of efficient catalytic electrode toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is still a great challenge for the wide use of zinc–air batteries. Herein, Co 2 N nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on N‐doped carbon from cattail were verified with excellent catalytic performances for ORR. The onset and half‐wave potentials over the optimal catalyst reach to 0.96 V and 0.84 V, respectively. Current retention rates of 96.8% after 22‐h test and 98.8% after running 1600 s were obtained in 1 M methanol solution. Density functional theory simulation proposes an apparently increased electronic states of Co 2 N in N‐doped carbon layer close to the Fermi level. Higher charge density, favorable adsorption, and charge transfer of intermediates originate from the coexistence of Co 2 N NPs and N atoms in carbon skeleton. The superior catalytic activity of composites also was confirmed in zinc–air batteries. This novel catalytic property and controllable preparation approach of Co 2 N‐carbon composites provide a promising avenue to fabricate metal‐containing catalytically active carbon from biomass.