Cobalt-doped Mn3O4 nanocrystals embedded in graphene nanosheets as a high-performance bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn–Air batteries

Mengyang Dong; Xu Liu; Lixue Jiang; Zhengju Zhu; Yajie Shu; Shan Chen; Yuhai Dou; Porun Liu; Huajie Yin; Huijun Zhao

Green Energy & Environment (Oct 2020)

Cobalt-doped Mn3O4 nanocrystals embedded in graphene nanosheets as a high-performance bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn–Air batteries

Mengyang Dong,
Xu Liu,
Lixue Jiang,
Zhengju Zhu,
Yajie Shu,
Shan Chen,
Yuhai Dou,
Porun Liu,
Huajie Yin,
Huijun Zhao

Affiliations

Mengyang Dong: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
Xu Liu: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
Lixue Jiang: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
Zhengju Zhu: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
Yajie Shu: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
Shan Chen: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
Yuhai Dou: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
Porun Liu: Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
Huajie Yin: Corresponding authors.; Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia
Huijun Zhao: Corresponding authors.; Centre for Clean Environment and Energy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5, no. 4
pp. 499 – 505

Abstract

Read online

A non-noble-metal bifunctional catalyst with efficient and durable activity towards both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial to the development of rechargeable Zn-air batteries. Herein, a facile one-step hydrothermal method is reported for the synthesis of a high-performance bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst, cobalt-doped Mn3O4 nanocrystals supported on graphene nanosheets (Co–Mn3O4/G). Compare to pristine Mn3O4, this Co–Mn3O4/G exhibits greatly enhanced electrocatalytic activity, delivering a half-wave potential of 0.866 V for the ORR and a low overpotential of 275 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for the OER. The zinc-air battery built with Co–Mn3O4/G shows a reduced charge–discharge voltage of 0.91 V at 10 mA cm−2, an power density of 115.24 mW cm−2 and excellent stability without any degradation after 945 cycles (315 h), outperforming the state-of-the-art Pt/C–Ir/C catalyst-based device.

Published in Green Energy & Environment

ISSN: 2468-0257 (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Mechanical engineering and machinery: Renewable energy sources; Science: Biology (General): Ecology
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/green-energy-and-environment/

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords