Cobalt Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotube as Bifunctional-Catalyst for Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries

Yang Liu; Yang Liu; Peng Dong; Mian Li; Hao Wu; Hao Wu; Chengxu Zhang; Lina Han; Lina Han; Yingjie Zhang; Yingjie Zhang

doi:10.3389/fmats.2019.00085

Frontiers in Materials (Apr 2019)

Cobalt Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotube as Bifunctional-Catalyst for Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries

Yang Liu,
Yang Liu,
Peng Dong,
Mian Li,
Hao Wu,
Hao Wu,
Chengxu Zhang,
Lina Han,
Lina Han,
Yingjie Zhang,
Yingjie Zhang

Affiliations

Yang Liu: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Yang Liu: National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Lithium-ion Batteries and Materials Preparation Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Battery Materials of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Peng Dong: National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Lithium-ion Batteries and Materials Preparation Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Battery Materials of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Mian Li: National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Lithium-ion Batteries and Materials Preparation Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Battery Materials of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Hao Wu: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Hao Wu: National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Lithium-ion Batteries and Materials Preparation Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Battery Materials of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Chengxu Zhang: National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Lithium-ion Batteries and Materials Preparation Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Battery Materials of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Lina Han: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Lina Han: National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Lithium-ion Batteries and Materials Preparation Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Battery Materials of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Yingjie Zhang: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
Yingjie Zhang: National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Lithium-ion Batteries and Materials Preparation Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Battery Materials of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2019.00085
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6

Abstract

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Developing economic and efficient non-noble-metal electrocatalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is vitally important to improve the performance and economic outlook of alkaline-based rechargeable Zn-air battery technologies. In this work, a nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube encapsulated with metallic cobalt nanoparticles (Co@NC) was synthesized through a facile method and subsequent pyrolysis treatment. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectra investigations demonstrate that the presence of Co induces the formation of carbon nanotube during the pyrolysis process and increase degree of graphitization of carbon nanotubes. The electrode activity is assessed by comparing OER with ORR indicators (ΔE). The ΔE value of Co@NC is 0.91 V, which is lower than the commercialized Pt/C (1.1 V) and nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) (1.17 V). The Co@NC-based primary Zn-air battery display an open circuit potential of 1.4 V, a high power density of 137 mW·cm−2, and outstanding energy density (708.3 mAh·kgZn-1 and 868.9 Wh kgZn-1 at 10 mA·cm−2), which batter than the commercialized Pt/C.

Published in Frontiers in Materials

ISSN: 2296-8016 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/materials

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