Issue 45, 2019

In situ encapsulation of Co-based nanoparticles into nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes-modified reduced graphene oxide as an air cathode for high-performance Zn–air batteries

Abstract

Exploring highly efficient catalysts for the oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) is very important in rechargeable Zn–air batteries. N-doped carbon coupled with transition metal-based species are among the most promising cathode catalysts for Zn–air batteries. However, the aggregation of metal-based sites during the synthetic/cycling process is a serious drawback of these catalysts. Herein, in situ encapsulation of ultra-small Co/Co4N nanoparticles into N-doping carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) anchored on reduced GO (Co/Co4N@N-CNTs/rGO) has been achieved through pyrolyzing a core–shell-structured ZIF-8@ZIF-67-modified GO (ZIF-8@ZIF-67/GO) precursor; the nanoparticles have been further applied as a bifunctional catalyst in Zn–air batteries. Benefitting from its uniform dispersion of Co-based particles, close contact of Co/Co4N species and N-CNTs, and high N content, Co/Co4N@N-CNTs/rGO shows outstanding catalytic activity/stability towards ORR and OER. Moreover, Zn volatilization and rGO introduction in Co/Co4N@N-CNTs/rGO can effectively promote the reactions of Zn–air cells. Hence, the Co/Co4N@N-CNTs/rGO-based conventional Zn–air battery exhibits a fantastic specific capacity of 783 mA h gZn−1, a continuous discharge platform over 6 days, a high-power density of ∼200 mW cm−2 and an ultra-long cycling life of 440 h with a small overpotential of ∼0.8 V. Moreover, a flexible Co/Co4N@N-CNTs/rGO-based Zn–air cell was also designed and revealed outstanding mechanical flexibility and good electrochemical performance, which suggests its potential application prospects in wearable electronic devices.

Graphical abstract: In situ encapsulation of Co-based nanoparticles into nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes-modified reduced graphene oxide as an air cathode for high-performance Zn–air batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 ⵖⵓⵛ 2019
Accepted
22 ⴽⵜⵓ 2019
First published
23 ⴽⵜⵓ 2019

Nanoscale, 2019,11, 21943-21952

In situ encapsulation of Co-based nanoparticles into nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes-modified reduced graphene oxide as an air cathode for high-performance Zn–air batteries

H. Qi, Y. Feng, Z. Chi, Y. Cui, M. Wang, J. Liu, Z. Guo, L. Wang and S. Feng, Nanoscale, 2019, 11, 21943 DOI: 10.1039/C9NR07270E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements