Nanofibrillated Cellulose-Derived Nanofibrous Co@N-C as Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts in Zn–Air Batteries

Abstract

A strategy for one-dimensional nanofibrous Co@N-C oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts was developed using nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) as the scaffold material. In situ coupling of a Co-adenine (Co-Ad) complex on an NFC bio-template leads to populated and well spatial distribution of C, N, and Co active species after pyrolysis, which has a pivotal effect on facilitating ORR via a four-electron-dominated process. Additionally, the internal abundant micro- and mesopores in the carbon nanofiber skeleton ensure rapid mass transport and adequate exposure of active compositions. In combination with these advantages, the as-obtained Co-Ad/NFC-700 demonstrated superior ORR activity and endowed the fabricated Zn-air battery with superb performance: a high peak power density of 167 mW cm–2, an excellent specific capacity of 739 mA h g–1, and an excellent cyclability exceeding 40 h.

Ag@Co/Zn N‐Doped Carbon as Antibacterial Oxygen Reduction Catalysts for Microbial Fuel Cells

“…The type IV isotherm curves indicate the micro‐/mesopore structures of the three catalyst types. [ 15 ] The specific surface area (490.24 m 2 g −1 ) and pore volume (0.49 m 3 g −1 ) of Co/Zn‐NC were markedly higher than those of Co‐NC (316.31 m 2 g −1 and 0.34 m 3 g −1 , respectively) (Table S2, Supporting Information). The enhanced porous structural characteristics were attributed to the evaporation of Zn atoms during pyrolysis.…”

3D Hierarchical Porous Carbon Aerogel Electrocatalysts Based on Cellulose/Aramid Nanofibers and Application in High-Performance Zn–Air Batteries

“…The relationship between the potentials measured vs Ag/AgCl and reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) can be obtained as the following equation The electron transfer number ( n ) and kinetic current density ( J k ) were obtained on the basis of the Koutecky–Levich (K–L) equation in which ω is the electrode rotation rate, J k is the kinetic current density, J is the measured current density, F is the Faraday constant, C O is the oxygen concentration (solution) in 0.1 M KOH, D is the oxygen diffusion coefficient of O 2 , and ν is the kinematic viscosity of the electrolyte …”

“…in which ω is the electrode rotation rate, J k is the kinetic current density, J is the measured current density, F is the Faraday constant, C O is the oxygen concentration (solution) in 0.1 M KOH, D is the oxygen diffusion coefficient of O 2 , and ν is the kinematic viscosity of the electrolyte. 45 The kinetic current was calculated using the following equation…”

Nanoporous-Structured Fe-NC Single-Atom Electrocatalysts Based on Lotus Seedpods and Industrial Acid Residues for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…5,6 Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key process determining the outcome of the ZAB devices operated under an alkaline medium. 7 Noble-metal-based materials, such as Pt/ C, are the dominant catalysts for promoting the ORR kinetics at the cathode of the ZAB; however, their geological scarcity and high cost, as well as poor durability, largely restrict the practical application of ZABs. 8,9 Very recently, nonprecious metal catalysts, particularly metal−nitrogen−carbon (M-NC) single atomic catalysts (SACs), such as Fe-NC, have been identified as promising alternatives to precious metal catalysts, mainly attributed to their high atom utilization and superior intrinsic performances.…”

“…In recent decades, zinc-air batteries (ZABs) have gained recognition as an effective energy storage system by virtue of their eco-friendliness, low production cost, and high energy density. , Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key process determining the outcome of the ZAB devices operated under an alkaline medium . Noble-metal-based materials, such as Pt/C, are the dominant catalysts for promoting the ORR kinetics at the cathode of the ZAB; however, their geological scarcity and high cost, as well as poor durability, largely restrict the practical application of ZABs. , Very recently, nonprecious metal catalysts, particularly metal–nitrogen–carbon (M-NC) single atomic catalysts (SACs), such as Fe-NC, have been identified as promising alternatives to precious metal catalysts, mainly attributed to their high atom utilization and superior intrinsic performances. − The synthesis of M-NC inevitably involves the use of metal precursors and carbon sources as the starting materials, followed by pyrolysis and acid treatment as the key manipulations.…”