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Li W, Yu X, Lv X, Deng Y, Feng Z, Yu F, Yang Y. Hollow mesoporous metal-nitrogen-carbon electrocatalysts with enhanced oxygen reduction activity for zinc-air batteries. J Colloid Interface Sci 2025; 687:668-676. [PMID: 39983393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.02.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2024] [Revised: 01/23/2025] [Accepted: 02/15/2025] [Indexed: 02/23/2025]
Abstract
While great advances have been achieved in Zn-air batteries, porous cathode catalysts remain crucial and challenging to promote diffusion and boost oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, an effective strategy has been developed for the synthesis of hollow metal-nitrogen-carbon electrocatalysts to achieve the macro-/meso-/microporous structure. The h-CuNC electrocatalyst exhibits good stability and high ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.91 V. Theoretical calculations reveal that CuNC sites can reduce the energy barrier of *OOH adsorption, which is the rate-determining step. Zn-air battery with h-CuNC as the cathode catalyst enables high peak power density of 201 mW cm-2 and good rate performance. Our work demonstrates the concept that hollow mesoporous MNC can significantly improve the catalytic performance by enhancing diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wending Li
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, China
| | - Ximei Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, China
| | - Yuanqing Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, China
| | - Zebing Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, China
| | - Fengjiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, China.
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, China.
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Yusibova G, Douglin JC, Vetik I, Pozdnjakova J, Ping K, Aruväli J, Kikas A, Kisand V, Käärik M, Leis J, Kaljuvee T, Paaver P, Oras S, Ciupiński Ł, Plocinski T, Konuhova M, Popov AI, Dekel DR, Ivaništšev V, Kongi N. Pyrolytic Transformation of Zn-TAL Metal-Organic Framework into Hollow Zn-N-C Spheres for Improved Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysis. ACS OMEGA 2025; 10:15280-15291. [PMID: 40290939 PMCID: PMC12019727 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c11318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2025] [Accepted: 04/04/2025] [Indexed: 04/30/2025]
Abstract
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising precursors for creating metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) electrocatalysts with high performance, though maintaining their structure during pyrolysis is challenging. This study examines the transformation of a Zn-based MOF into an M-N-C electrocatalyst, focusing on the preservation of the carbon framework and the prevention of Zn aggregation during pyrolysis. A highly porous Zn-N-C electrocatalyst derived from Zn-TAL MOF (where TAL stands for the TalTech-UniTartu Alliance Laboratory) was synthesized via optimized pyrolysis, yielding notable electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) analyses confirmed that the carbon framework preserved its integrity and remained free of Zn metal aggregates, even at elevated temperatures. Rotating disc electrode (RDE) tests in an alkaline solution showed that the optimized Zn-N-C electrocatalyst demonstrated ORR activity on par with commercial Pt/C electrocatalysts. In an anion-exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC), the Zn-N-C material pyrolyzed at 1000 °C exhibited a peak power density of 553 mW cm-2 at 60 °C. This work demonstrates that Zn-TAL MOF is an excellent precursor for forming hollow Zn-N-C structures, making it a promising high-performance Pt-free electrocatalyst for fuel cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulnara Yusibova
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - John C. Douglin
- The
Wolfson Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
| | - Iuliia Vetik
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Kefeng Ping
- Yichang
Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 19 Dalian Rd, Xiling District, Yichang, 443005 Hubei, China
| | - Jaan Aruväli
- Institute
of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University
of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Arvo Kikas
- Institute
of Physics, University of Tartu, Ostwaldi 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vambola Kisand
- Institute
of Physics, University of Tartu, Ostwaldi 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maike Käärik
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jaan Leis
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tiit Kaljuvee
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Technology, Tallinn Technical University, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Peeter Paaver
- Institute
of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University
of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sven Oras
- Institute
of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Łukasz Ciupiński
- Faculty
of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw
University of Technology, Woloska 141, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Plocinski
- Faculty
of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw
University of Technology, Woloska 141, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marina Konuhova
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, 8 Kengaraga, LV-1063 Riga, Latvia
| | - Anatoli I. Popov
- Institute
of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, 8 Kengaraga, LV-1063 Riga, Latvia
| | - Dario R. Dekel
- The
Wolfson Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
- The Nancy & Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program (GTEP), Technion—Israel
Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Nadezda Kongi
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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Meng H, Song J, Zhang Y. ZIF67-ZIF8@MFC-Derived Co-Zn/NC Interconnected Frameworks Combined with Perfluorosulfonic Acid Polymer as a Highly Efficient and Stable Composite Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reactions. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:505. [PMID: 38399883 PMCID: PMC10893250 DOI: 10.3390/polym16040505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of precious metal-free (M-N-C) catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is considered crucial for reducing fuel cell costs. Herein, Co-Zn/NC interconnected frameworks with uniformly dispersed Co nanoparticles and graphitic carbon are designed and successfully synthesized through the in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF67 and ZIF8) along with biomass nano-microfibrillar cellulose (MFC), followed by pyrolysis. A Co-Zn/NC composite is prepared by combining Co-Zn/NC with a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer. The Co-Zn/NC composite catalyst exhibits excellent ORR catalytic activity (E0 = 0.974 V vs. RHE, E1/2 = 0.858 V vs. RHE) and good long-term durability, with 90% current retention after 10000s, surpassing that of commercial Pt/C in alkaline media. The hierarchical porous structure, coupled with the uniform distribution of Co nanoparticles and nitrogen doping, contributes to superior electrocatalytic performance, while the interconnected frameworks and graphitic carbon ensure good stability. Additionally, the Co-Zn/NC composite demonstrates promising applications in acidic media. This strategy offers significant guidance to develop advanced non-precious metal carbon-based catalysts for highly efficient and stable ORR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jingnan Song
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center of Hydrogen Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
| | - Yongming Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Center of Hydrogen Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
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