Two-electron redox chemistry via single-atom catalyst for reversible zinc–air batteries

Wei Zhang, Jiangwei Zhang, Nan Wang, Kerun Zhu, Chaochao Yang, Yan Ai, Fengmei Wang, Yong Tian, Yuzhu Ma, Yao Ma, Xingmiao Zhang, Linlin Duan, Dongliang Chao, Fei Wang (), Dongyuan Zhao and Wei Li ()
Additional contact information
Wei Zhang: Fudan University
Jiangwei Zhang: Inner Mongolia University
Nan Wang: Fudan University
Kerun Zhu: Fudan University
Chaochao Yang: Fudan University
Yan Ai: Fudan University
Fengmei Wang: Fudan University
Yong Tian: Fudan University
Yuzhu Ma: Fudan University
Yao Ma: Fudan University
Xingmiao Zhang: Fudan University
Linlin Duan: Fudan University
Dongliang Chao: Fudan University
Fei Wang: Fudan University
Dongyuan Zhao: Fudan University
Wei Li: Fudan University

Nature Sustainability, 2024, vol. 7, issue 4, 463-473

Abstract: Abstract Rechargeable zinc–air batteries (ZABs) are considered to be one of the most sustainable alternative systems in a post-lithium-ion future owing to their lowest possible dependency on critical raw materials and high theoretical energy densities. However, their performance is still not up to par with their potential because of the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction. Here we report a single-atom catalyst design that transforms the sluggish four-electron oxygen reduction reaction into a fast two-electron pathway and enables a zinc peroxide (ZnO2) chemistry in ZABs. With accessible FeN2S2 active sites on mesoporous graphene, the catalyst serves to promote transport of electrolyte, oxygen and electron and confines the growth of ZnO2, which would otherwise form dead products. As a result, as-fabricated ZAB in a neutral electrolyte shows a voltage as high as 1.2 V at 0.2 mA cm−2, a high round-trip efficiency of 61% and an excellent operation stability beyond ∼400 h. This work provides guidelines for the rational design of multifunctional cathodes and would accelerate the adoption of sustainable batteries in the metal–air category.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01300-2

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