Robust wrinkled MoS2/N-C bifunctional electrocatalysts interfaced with single Fe atoms for wearable zinc-air batteries

Single-atom catalysis involves precise modulation of structures at the atomic level to markedly enhance catalytic activity. This work explores wrinkled MoS₂@Fe-N-C core/shell nanospheres with atomic Fe-doped surface and interface (MoS₂/Fe-N-C) as highly efficient bifunctional catalysts for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER), rivaling the ORR and OER activity of Pt/C and Ir/C, respectively. The robust performance can be attributed to the unique MoS₂/Fe-N-C interface, at which the highly active Fe-N₄ moieties coupled with the grain boundary of MoS₂ simultaneously reduce the energy barriers of ORR and OER. Notably, the Fe-N-C shell protects the MoS₂ core from corrosion during the ORR and OER processes in the alkaline electrolyte, leading to a long-term stability for the as-constructed zinc-air batteries.