Issue 7, 2023

Heterointerface promoted trifunctional electrocatalysts for all temperature high-performance rechargeable Zn–air batteries

Abstract

The rational design of wide-temperature operating Zn–air batteries is crucial for their practical applications. However, the fundamental challenges remain; the limitation of the sluggish oxygen redox kinetics, insufficient active sites, and poor efficiency/cycle lifespan. Here we present heterointerface-promoted sulfur-deficient cobalt-tin-sulfur (CoS1−δ/SnS2−δ) trifunctional electrocatalysts by a facile solvothermal solution-phase approach. The CoS1−δ/SnS2−δ displays superb trifunctional activities, precisely a record-level oxygen bifunctional activity of 0.57 V (E1/2 = 0.90 V and Ej=10 = 1.47 V) and a hydrogen evolution overpotential (41 mV), outperforming those of Pt/C and RuO2. Theoretical calculations reveal the modulation of the electronic structures and d-band centers that endorse fast electron/proton transport for the hetero-interface and avoid the strong adsorption of intermediate species. The alkaline Zn–air batteries with CoS1−δ/SnS2−δ manifest record-high power density of 249 mW cm−2 and long-cycle life for >1000 cycles under harsh operations of 20 mA cm−2, surpassing those of Pt/C + RuO2 and previous state-of-the-art catalysts. Furthermore, the solid-state flexible Zn–air battery also displays remarkable performance with an energy density of 1077 Wh kg−1, >690 cycles for 50 mA cm−2, and a wide operating temperature from +80 to −40 °C with 85% capacity retention, which provides insights for practical Zn–air batteries.

Graphical abstract: Heterointerface promoted trifunctional electrocatalysts for all temperature high-performance rechargeable Zn–air batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
22 mar 2023
Accepted
02 may 2023
First published
15 may 2023

Nanoscale Horiz., 2023,8, 921-934

Heterointerface promoted trifunctional electrocatalysts for all temperature high-performance rechargeable Zn–air batteries

N. K. Wagh, D. Kim, C. H. Lee, S. Kim, H. Um, J. S. Kwon, S. S. Shinde, S. U. Lee and J. Lee, Nanoscale Horiz., 2023, 8, 921 DOI: 10.1039/D3NH00108C

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