Issue 11, 2022

Zinc/graphitic carbon nitride co-mediated dual-template synthesis of densely populated Fe–Nx-embedded 2D carbon nanosheets towards oxygen reduction reactions for Zn–air batteries

Abstract

Atomically dispersed Fe–N–C catalysts have been extensively deemed as appealing substitutes for Pt-series catalysts towards oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). Nevertheless, most reported Fe–N–C materials suffer from inefficient Fe-based nanoparticles and low-density Fe–Nx sites. Herein, a Zn/g-C3N4-mediated dual-template strategy was employed to synthesize densely populated atomic Fe–Nx center-embedded N-doped carbon nanosheets (SAs-Fe/N-CNSs) with adjustable porous structures by the simple pyrolysis of D-glucosamine/FeZn/g-C3N4 complexes. g-C3N4 works as a structure-guiding 2D template and offers abundant coordination-N trapping sites for anchoring Fe atoms, simultaneously. ZnCl2 serves as a self-sacrificial template creating a hierarchical porous structure by its volatilization as well as hinders the agglomeration of Fe atoms by spatial segregation during pyrolysis. Due to the high-density atomic Fe–Nx moieties, unique 2D structure, hierarchical porosity, and large surface area, the optimal SAs-Fe/N-CNS catalyst exhibits satisfying ORR performance including excellent activity (E1/2 = 0.91 V) and desirable durability, surpassing the Pt/C catalyst. Additionally, the superb performance of SAs-Fe/N-CNS-based Zn–air batteries with a maximum power density of 157.03 mW cm−2 verifies their promising application in practical electrochemical systems.

Graphical abstract: Zinc/graphitic carbon nitride co-mediated dual-template synthesis of densely populated Fe–Nx-embedded 2D carbon nanosheets towards oxygen reduction reactions for Zn–air batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 Sept. 2021
Accepted
19 Okt. 2021
First published
20 Okt. 2021

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022,10, 5971-5980

Zinc/graphitic carbon nitride co-mediated dual-template synthesis of densely populated Fe–Nx-embedded 2D carbon nanosheets towards oxygen reduction reactions for Zn–air batteries

X. Gong, Y. Zhang, L. Zhao, Y. Dai, J. Cai, B. Liu, P. Guo, Q. Zhou, I. Yagi and Z. Wang, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022, 10, 5971 DOI: 10.1039/D1TA08007E

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