LaNiO₃ modified with Ag nanoparticles as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc--air batteries

Abstract

No-precious bifunctional catalysts with high electrochemical activities and stability were crucial to properties of rechargeable zinc–air batteries. Herein, LaNiO₃ modified with Ag nanoparticles (Ag/LaNiO₃) was prepared by the co-synthesis method and evaluated as the bifunctional oxygen catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Compared with LaNiO₃, Ag/LaNiO₃ demonstrated the enhanced catalytic activity towards ORR/OER as well as higher limited current density and lower onset potential. Moreover, the potential gap between ORR potential (at −3 mA·cm⁻²) and OER potential (at 5 mA·cm⁻²) was 1.16 V. The maximum power density of the primary zinc–air battery with Ag/LaNiO₃ catalyst achieved 60 mW·cm⁻². Furthermore, rechargeable zinc–air batteries operated reversible charge–discharge cycles for 150 cycles without noticeable performance deterioration, which showed its excellent bifunctional activity and cycling stability as oxygen electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries. These results indicated that Ag/LaNiO₃ prepared by the co-synthesis method was a promising bifunctional catalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries.

Keywords

Ag/LaNiO ₃ / co-synthesis method / oxygen reduction reaction / oxygen evolution reaction / rechargeable zinc--air battery

References

[1] Chen D, Chen C, Baiyee Z M, . Nonstoichiometric oxides as low-cost and highly-efficient oxygen reduction/evolution catalysts for low-temperature electrochemical devices. Chemical Reviews, 2015, 115(18): 9869–9921

[2] Li Y, Dai H. Recent advances in zinc–air batteries. Chemical Society Reviews, 2014, 43(15): 5257–5275

[3] Zhang T, Li Z, Wang L, . Spinel CoFe₂O₄ supported by three dimensional graphene as high-performance bi-functional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reaction. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019, 44(3): 1610–1619

[4] Fu J, Cano Z P, Park M G, . Electrically rechargeable zinc–air batteries: Progress, challenges, and perspectives. Advanced Materials, 2017, 29(7): 1604685

[5] Gu P, Zheng M, Zhao Q, . Rechargeable zinc–air batteries: a promising way to green energy. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2017, 5(17): 7651–7666

[6] Sapkota P, Kim H. Zinc–air fuel cell, a potential candidate for alternative energy. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2009, 15(4): 445–450

[7] Suen N T, Hung S F, Quan Q, . Electrocatalysis for the oxygen evolution reaction: recent development and future perspectives. Chemical Society Reviews, 2017, 46(2): 337–365

[8] Poux T, Bonnefont A, Kéranguéven G, . Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction on perovskite oxides: series versus direct pathway. ChemPhysChem, 2014, 15(10): 2108–2120

[9] Zhang Z, Li H, Hu J, . High oxygen reduction reaction activity of C–N/Ag hybrid composites for Zn–air battery. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2017, 694(15): 419–428

[10] Zhang Y, Li X, Zhang M, . IrO₂ nanoparticles highly dispersed on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as an efficient cathode catalyst for high-performance Li–O₂ batteries. Ceramics International, 2017, 43(16): 14082–14089

[11] Pei P, Wang K, Ma Z. Technologies for extending zinc–air battery’s cycle life: A review. Applied Energy, 2014, 128(C): 315–324

[12] Chen S, Duan J, Ran J, . N-doped graphene film-confined nickel nanoparticles as a highly efficient three-dimensional oxygen evolution electrocatalyst. Energy & Environmental Science, 2013, 6(12): 3693–3699

[13] Zhang T, Li Z, Wang L, . Spinel MnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles supported on three-dimensional graphene with enhanced mass transfer as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. ChemSusChem, 2018, 11(16): 2730–2736

[14] Zhang T, Li Z, Zhang Z, . Design of a three-dimensional interconnected hierarchical micro-mesoporous structure of graphene as support material for spinel NiCo₂O₄ electrocatalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2018, 122(48): 27469–27476

[15] Zhu Y, Zhou W, Shao Z. Perovskite/carbon composites: Applications in oxygen electrocatalysis. Small, 2017, 13(12): 1603793

[16] Neburchilov V, Wang H, Martin J J, . A review on air cathodes for zinc–air fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195(5): 1271–1291

[17] Zhang T, Li Z, Sun P, . α-MnO₂ nanorods supported on three dimensional graphene as high activity and durability cathode electrocatalysts for magnesium–air fuel cells. Catalysis Today, 2019 (in press)

[18] Retuerto M, Pereira A G, Pérez-Alonso F J, . Structural effects of LaNiO₃ as electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2017, 203: 363–371

[19] Egelund S, Caspersen M, Nikiforov A, . Manufacturing of a LaNiO₃ composite electrode for oxygen evolution in commercial alkaline water electrolysis. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2016, 41(24): 10152–10160

[20] Zhu C, Nobuta A, Nakatsugawa I, . Solution combustion synthesis of LaMO₃ (M = Fe, Co, Mn) perovskite nanoparticles and the measurement of their electrocatalytic properties for air cathode. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2013, 38(30): 13238–13248

[21] Bak J, Bae H B, Kim J, . Formation of two-dimensional homologous faults and oxygen electrocatalytic activities in a perovskite nickelate. Nano Letters, 2017, 17(5): 3126–3132

[22] Bian J, Li Z, Li N, . Oxygen deficient LaMn_0.75Co_0.25O_3−δ nanofibers as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction and zinc–air batteries. Inorganic Chemistry, 2019, 58(12): 8208–8214

[23] Bian J, Cheng X, Meng X, . Nitrogen-doped NiCo₂O₄ microsphere as an efficient catalyst for flexible rechargeable zinc–air batteries and self-charging power system. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2019, 2(3): 2296–2304

[24] Vignesh A, Prabu M, Shanmugam S. Porous LaCo_1−xNi_xO_3−δ nanostructures as an efficient electrocatalyst for water oxidation and for a zinc–air battery. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2016, 8(9): 6019–6031

[25] Lee D U, Park H W, Park M G, . Synergistic bifunctional catalyst design based on perovskite oxide nanoparticles and intertwined carbon nanotubes for rechargeable zinc–air battery applications. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2015, 7(1): 902–910

[26] Jung K N, Jung J H, Im W B, . Doped lanthanum nickelates with a layered perovskite structure as bifunctional cathode catalysts for rechargeable metal–air batteries. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2013, 5(20): 9902–9907

[27] Hardin W G, Mefford J T, Slanac D A, . Tuning the electrocatalytic activity of perovskites through active site variation and support interactions. Chemistry of Materials, 2014, 26(11): 3368–3376

[28] Zhang D, Song Y, Du Z, . Active LaNi_1−xFe_xO₃ bifunctional catalysts for air cathodes in alkaline media. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2015, 3(18): 9421–9426

[29] Du Z, Yang P, Wang L, . Electrocatalytic performances of LaNi_1−xMg_xO₃ perovskite oxides as bi-functional catalysts for lithium air batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 2014, 265: 91–96

[30] Bian J, Su R, Yao Y, . Mg doped perovskite LaNiO₃ nanofibers as an efficient bifunctional catalyst for rechargeable zinc–air batteries. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2019, 2(1): 923–931

[31] Yu J, Sunarso J, Zhu Y, . Activity and stability of ruddlesden-popper-type La_n+1Ni_nO_3n+1 (n = 1, 2, 3, and ∞) electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions in alkaline media. Chemistry, 2016, 22(8): 2719–2727

[32] Sunarso J, Torriero A A J, Zhou W, . Oxygen reduction reaction activity of La-based perovskite oxides in alkaline medium: A thin-film rotating ring-disk electrode study. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2012, 116(9): 5827–5834

[33] Hu J, Liu Q, Shi Z, . LaNiO₃-nanorod/graphene composite as an efficient bi-functional catalyst for zinc–air batteries. RSC Advances, 2016, 6(89): 86386–86394

[34] Chen Z, Yu A, Higgins D, . Highly active and durable core–corona structured bifunctional catalyst for rechargeable metal–air battery application. Nano Letters, 2012, 12(4): 1946–1952

[35] Ma H, Wang B. A bifunctional electrocatalyst α-MnO₂–LaNiO₃/carbon nanotube composite for rechargeable zinc–air batteries. RSC Advances, 2014, 4(86): 46084–46092

[36] Wang T, Kaempgen M, Nopphawan P, . Silver nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanotubes as bifunctional gas-diffusion electrodes for zinc–air batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195(13): 4350–4355

[37] Ashok A, Kumar A, Matin M A, . Probing the effect of combustion controlled surface alloying in silver and copper towards ORR and OER in alkaline medium. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 2019, 844: 66–77

[38] Wang Y, Liu Q, Zhang L, . One-pot synthesis of Ag-CoFe₂O₄/C as efficient catalyst for oxygen reduction in alkaline media. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2016, 41(47): 22547–22553

[39] Sun S, Miao H, Xue Y, . Oxygen reduction reaction catalysts of manganese oxide decorated by silver nanoparticles for aluminum–air batteries. Electrochimica Acta, 2016, 214: 49–55

[40] Zhuang S, Huang K, Huang C, . Preparation of silver-modified La_0.6Ca_0.4CoO₃ binary electrocatalyst for bi-functional air electrodes in alkaline medium. Journal of Power Sources, 2011, 196(8): 4019–4025

[41] Hu J, Liu Q, Shi L, . Silver decorated LaMnO₃ nanorod/graphene composite electrocatalysts as reversible metal–air battery electrodes. Applied Surface Science, 2017, 402: 61–69

[42] Jiang W, Wei B, Lv Z, . Performance and stability of co-synthesized Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃–Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 oxygen electrode for reversible solid oxide cells. Electrochimica Acta, 2015, 180: 1085–1093

[43] Li P Z, Wang Z H, Huang X Q, . Enhanced electrochemical performance of co-synthesized La₂NiO_4+δ-Ce_0.55La_0.45O_2−δ composite cathode for IT-SOFCs. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2017, 705: 105–111

[44] Wang M, Liu Y, Zhang K, . Metal coordination enhanced Ni–Co@N-doped porous carbon core–shell microsphere bi-functional electrocatalyst and its application in rechargeable zinc/air batteries. RSC Advances, 2016, 6(86): 83386–83392

[45] Goh F W T, Liu Z, Ge X, . Ag nanoparticle-modified MnO₂ nanorods catalyst for use as an air electrode in zinc–air battery. Electrochimica Acta, 2013, 114: 598–604

[46] Gong C, Zhao L, Li S, . Atomic layered deposition iron oxide on perovskite LaNiO₃ as an efficient and robust bi-functional catalyst for lithium oxygen batteries. Electrochimica Acta, 2018, 281: 338–347

[47] Wu Y, Wang T, Zhang Y, . Electrocatalytic performances of g-C₃N₄–LaNiO₃ composite as bi-functional catalysts for lithium–oxygen batteries. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6(1): 24314

[48] Hardin W G, Slanac D A, Wang X, . Highly active, nonprecious metal perovskite electrocatalysts for bifunctional metal–air battery electrodes. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2013, 4(8): 1254–1259

[49] Ge X, Du Y, Li B, . Intrinsically conductive perovskite oxides with enhanced stability and electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reactions. ACS Catalysis, 2016, 6(11): 7865–7871

[50] Borghei M, Lehtonen J, Liu L, . Advanced biomass-derived electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. Advanced Materials, 2018, 30(24): 1703691 (27 pages)

[51] Park S A, Lee E K, Song H, . Bifunctional enhancement of oxygen reduction reaction activity on Ag catalysts due to water activation on LaMnO₃ supports in alkaline media. Scientific Reports, 2015, 5(1): 13552 (14 pages)

[52] Ge X, Sumboja A, Wuu D, . Oxygen reduction in alkaline media: From mechanisms to recent advances of catalysts. ACS Catalysis, 2015, 5(8): 4643–4667

[53] Guo J, Zhou J, Chu D, . Tuning the electrochemical interface of Ag/C electrodes in alkaline media with metallophthalocyanine molecules. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2013, 117(8): 4006–4017

[54] Liu J, Liu J, Song W, . The role of electronic interaction in the use of Ag and Mn₃O₄ hybrid nanocrystals covalently coupled with carbon as advanced oxygen reduction electrocatalysts. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2014, 2(41): 17477–17488

[55] Ma Z, Pei P, Wang K, . Degradation characteristics of air cathode in zinc air fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 274: 56–64

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature