Abstract
Development of bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen electrocatalytic reactions is significant in improving the performance of Zn-air batteries. Among all candidates, transition metal compounds and carbon nanotube composites have attracted considerable attention owing to their great catalytic activities. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) macroporous carbon nanotube (CNT) microspheres interconnected with thorn-like N-doped CNT surrounding Co/CoO (m-C@Co/CoO-bC) are synthesized via spray pyrolysis, followed by N-doped CNT growth and oxidation. Hierarchical nanohybrids with porous N-doped CNT-network and Co/CoO catalysts are rationally designed and applied as an efficient oxygen electrocatalyst. The porous carbon backbone exhibits high electrical conductivity with robust corrosion resistance. In addition, interconnected N-doped CNTs wrapping Co/CoO nanocatalysts exhibit enhanced catalytic properties as compared to commercial Pt/C and RuO2 in alkaline media. m-C@Co/CoO-bC exhibits a robust cycle stability, higher power density, and lower polarization potential difference when applied as the oxygen electrode in a rechargeable Zn-air battery, in comparison to commercial Pt/C-RuO2 mixed powders.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 16091-16101 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | International Journal of Energy Research |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 Sept |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:National Research Foundation of Korea, Grant/Award Number: 2019R1A2C2088047 Funding information
Funding Information:
This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF‐2019R1A2C2088047).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Keywords
- N-doped CNT
- Zn-air batteries
- electrocatalyst
- nanostructured materials
- porous structure
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Nuclear Energy and Engineering
- Fuel Technology
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology