Heterostructure catalyst coupled wood-derived carbon and cobalt-iron alloy/oxide for reversible oxygen conversion

Abstract

As promising energy-storage devices, zinc–air batteries (ZABs) exhibit slow reaction kinetics for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurring at their electrodes. High-performance bifunctional catalysts must thus be synthesized to accelerate the reversible conversion of oxygen and improve the rate and overall performance of ZABs. Herein, we reported the promising prospects of self-supported composite electrodes composed of wood-derived carbon (WDC) and bimetallic cobalt-iron alloys/oxides (CoFe-CoFe₂O₄@WDC) as efficient electrocatalysts for alkaline ORR/OER. WDC provided a favorable three-phase interface for heterogeneous reactions owing to its layered porous structure and genetic stability, thereby enabling mass diffusion and improving reaction kinetics. The CoFe₂O₄ spinel surface was reduced to bimetallic CoFe alloy to form abundant heterostructure interfaces that promote electron transfer. Under alkaline conditions, the optimized composite electrode exhibited a remarkable high half-wave potential of 0.85 V and an exceptionally low overpotential of 1.49 V. It also exhibited stable performance over an impressive 2340 cycles in a ZAB. Theoretical calculations also confirmed that the heterointerface addresses the issue of proton scarcity throughout the reaction and actively facilitates the creation of O–O bonds during the reversible transformation of oxygen. This study introduces a new concept for developing bifunctional and efficient electrocatalysts based on charcoal and encourages the sustainable and high-value use of forest biomass resources.

Highlights

•	Water dissociation was regulated to provide proton for smooth response under alkaline conditions and accelerate the conversion of *O2 to *OOH.
•	The alloy surface formed CoFe oxyhydroxide in the OER voltage range, and the adsorption capacity of intermediates was adjusted to facilitate O–O bond formation.
•	The d-band center moved downward due to interface electron interaction, modifying the binding ability of intermediates.

Keywords

Heterostructure interface / Oxygen evolution / Oxygen reduction / Spinel / Surface reduction

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Funding

Tianchi Talent Training Program(2023000061); Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass Energy and Material(JSBEM-S-202101); Young Top Talent Program of Zhongyuan-Yingcai-Jihua(30602674); National Natural Science Foundation of China(31901272)