A multifunctional bridged-carbon scaffold: a universal electrodeposition platform for bifunctional catalysts toward flexible zinc–air batteries

Abstract

A universal ORR-integrated substrate strategy enables electrodeposition of diverse OER catalysts (e.g., NiFe-LDH, Co(OH)₂, FeS–Fe₃O₄) on cotton-derived N,S-doped cotton carbon cloth (NS-CCC) as bifunctional self-supporting electrodes. NS-CCC provides intrinsic ORR activity and conductive 3D scaffolds, while interfacial M–O/N–C bonds enhance catalyst anchoring. NiFe-LDH/NS-CC achieves 380 mV OER overpotential at 100 mA cm⁻² and 0.78 V ORR half-wave potential, empowering stable flexible Zn–air batteries for more than 700 cycles.