Novel application of imidazole-based ligand-templated borates in a zinc–air battery

Abstract

Two templated borates, [Co(1-EI)₂]·[B₅O₇(OH)₃] (1) and [Ga(1-MI)₂·B₆O₉(OH)₄]·[H₃BO₃]·H[1-MI] (2), have been synthesized using a mild method. Notably, they exhibit an excellent ORR performance with an E_1/2 value of 0.84 V and are the first to be used as the positive electrode catalyst for a zinc–air battery, which opens a pathway for the application of borate-based oxide catalysts.