Energetic MOF-derived hollow carbon tubes with interconnected channels and encapsulated nickel-cobalt alloy sites as bifunctional catalysts for Zn-air batteries with stable cycling over 600 cycles
Abstract
Energetic metal-organic frameworks (EMOFs) and EMOF-derived materials are currently a hot spot to replace precious-metal electrocatalysts. Here, the reasonable strategy and synthesis of an inventive class of alloy@C materials from EMOFs via one-step pyrolysis was reported as the first example. The freshly progressive NiCo@C with a individual hierarchical structure, being composed of uniformly distributive metal alloy nanoparticles (MANPs) decorated by N-doped porous hollow carbon nanotubes (HCNTs), displayed the extraordinary bifunctional catalytic activity (oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions) than that of commercial precious-metal catalysts. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations revealed the vital role of Ni-Co alloy doping in adjusting both performances. Moreover, as an air electrode in Zn-air batteries, NiCo@C demonstrated a large peak power density (170 mW cm-2) and superior long-term stability over 600 cycles. In consideration of the expansive category of EMOFs and the governable fixation of single/multiple metal particles, this strategy gives evidence of a capacious scientific range.
- Publication:
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Applied Surface Science
- Pub Date:
- July 2022
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.153070
- Bibcode:
- 2022ApSS..59153070D
- Keywords:
-
- Energetic metal-organic framework;
- N-doped hollow carbon tubes;
- Ni-Co alloy;
- Bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst;
- Zn-air batteries