Interface engineering of bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn–air batteries

Abstract

Rechargeable Zn–air batteries (RZABs) are regarded as promising next-generation energy storage and conversion devices and have attracted intensive attention due to their high safety, high energy density, material abundance, and environmental friendliness. However, the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) pose an obstacle for the large-scale application of RZABs. The development and design of highly efficient and stable bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts play a key role in the commercial application of RZABs. Interface engineering is an effective strategy to construct advanced bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for high-performance RZABs. The interface formed between two or more components in the electrocatalyst can modify the electronic structures and atomic configurations of the active sites, which can achieve unprecedented catalytic properties. However, previous reviews mainly focused on the type, synthetic strategy, and reaction mechanism of the ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalysts. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in the interfacial engineering of bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts at the atomic/micro-level and discuss the interfacial regulation strategies and coordination effects, aiming to provide a valuable perspective on designing advanced bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for efficient RZABs.