Fe<sub>3</sub>N Nanoparticle-Encapsulated N-Doped Carbon Nanotubes on Biomass-Derived Carbon Cloth as Self-Standing Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Yongxin Zhao,
Dandan Liu,
Yubin Tian,
Yuzhu Zhai,
Chaofan Tian,
Sen Li,
Tao Xing,
Zhi Li,
Pengcheng Dai
Affiliations
Yongxin Zhao
College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Dandan Liu
College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Yubin Tian
College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Yuzhu Zhai
College of Textile and Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266101, China
Chaofan Tian
College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Sen Li
College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Tao Xing
New Energy Division, National Engineering Research Center of Coal Gasification and Coal-Based Advanced Materials, Shandong Energy Group Co., Ltd., Jining 273500, China
Zhi Li
New Energy Division, National Engineering Research Center of Coal Gasification and Coal-Based Advanced Materials, Shandong Energy Group Co., Ltd., Jining 273500, China
Pengcheng Dai
College of New Energy, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
The design and fabrication of low-cost catalysts for highly efficient oxygen reduction are of paramount importance for various renewable energy-related technologies, such as fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Herein, we report the synthesis of Fe3N nanoparticle-encapsulated N-doped carbon nanotubes on the surface of a flexible biomass-derived carbon cloth (Fe3N@CNTs/CC) via a simple one-step carbonization process. Taking advantage of its unique structure, Fe3N@CNTs/CC was employed as a self-standing electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and possessed high activity as well as excellent long-term stability and methanol resistance in alkaline media. Remarkably, Fe3N@CNT/CC can directly play the role of both a gas diffusion layer and an electrocatalytic cathode in a zinc–air battery without additional means of catalyst loading, and it displays higher open-circuit voltage, power density, and specific capacity in comparison with a commercial Pt/C catalyst. This work is anticipated to inspire the design of cost-effective, easily prepared, and high-performance air electrodes for advanced electrochemical applications.
