Design of Fe/Co–N doped porous carbon sheets using a hard template strategy as an oxygen reduction catalyst for Mg–air batteries

Abstract

The commercialization of magnesia–air batteries (Mg–air) necessitates the development of highly efficient, cost-effective, and durable electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), replacing expensive and unstable precious metal electrocatalysts. A hard template-assisted synthesis of FeCo nanoparticles immobilized on N-doped porous carbon (Fe–Co–C–N) for the ORR is reported. The half-wave potential of Fe–Co–C–N for ORR (E_1/2 = 0.88 V vs. RHE) is elevated by 40 mV compared to that of 20 wt% Pt/C (E_1/2 = 0.84 vs. RHE). The catalyst exhibits exceptional catalytic performance and remarkable stability. The discharge voltage of the Mg–air battery, utilizing Fe–Co–C–N as the cathode catalyst (1.29 V), surpasses that of the battery employing 20 wt% Pt/C as the cathode catalyst (1.28 V). The Mg–air battery with Fe–Co–C–N as the cathode catalyst exhibited excellent discharge stability and maintained a stable discharge for over 200 hours. The present study offers valuable insights into the structural design and regulatory mechanisms governing the performance of M–N–C catalysts in Mg–air batteries.