Recent Progress in Non-Precious Catalysts for Metal-Air Batteries (original) (raw)

Carbon-supported single-atom catalysts for advanced rechargeable metal-air batteries

Energy Materials, 2022

To address the fossil energy crisis and environmental problems, the urgent demand for clean energy has promoted the rapid development of advanced rechargeable metal-air batteries based on the redox reaction couples of gases, such as the oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, carbon dioxide reduction and carbon dioxide evolution reactions. High-efficiency electrocatalysts are highly desirable to enhance the conversion efficiency of these reactions for enhancing battery performance. Significant advances in single-atom catalysts (SACs) on carbon matrices have been witnessed in recent years as attractive and unique systems to improve the electrocatalytic activities for high-performance rechargeable Zn- and Li-air batteries. This review summarizes the latest achievements in the applications of carbon-supported SACs in metal-air batteries, with a particular focus on the rational design of SACs and their fundamental electrocatalytic mechanism at the atomic level. The future development and perspectives of SACs in the field of metal-air batteries are also discussed.

Air Cathodes and Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts for Aqueous Metal–Air Batteries

Batteries

One of the most popular solutions for electrochemical energy storage is metal−air batteries, which could be employed in electric vehicles or grid energy storage. Metal–air batteries have a higher theoretical energy density than lithium-ion batteries. The crucial components for the best performance of batteries are the air cathode electrocatalysts and corresponding electrolytes. Herein, we present several of the latest studies on electrocatalysts for air cathodes and bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for aqueous zinc–air and aluminium–air batteries.

Molecular Catalysts for OER/ORR in Zn-Air Batteries

Catalysts, 2023

Zn–air batteries are becoming the promising power source for small electronic devices and electric vehicles. They provide a relatively high specific energy density at relatively low cost. This review presents exciting advances and challenges related to the development of molecular catalysts for cathode reactions in Zn–air batteries. Bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) play the main role in improving performance of reversible fuel cell and metal–air batteries. The catalyst development strategies are reviewed, along with strategies to enhance catalyst performance by application of magnetic field. Proper design of bifunctional molecular ORR/OER catalysts allows the prolongment of the battery reversibility to a few thousand cycles and reach of energy efficiencies of over 70%.

Design of 3-Dimensional Hierarchical Architectures of Carbon and Highly Active Transition Metals (Fe, Co, Ni) as Bifunctional Oxygen Catalysts for Hybrid Lithium–Air Batteries

Chemistry of Materials, 2017

Flexible power sources and efficient energy storage devices with high energy density are highly desired to power a future sustainable community. Theoretically, rechargeable metal-air batteries are promising candidates for the next-generation power sources. The rational design of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts with high catalytic activity is critical to the development of efficient and durable metal-air batteries. Herein, we propose a novel strategy to mass synthesize non-precious transition-metal-based nitrogen/oxygen co-doped carbon nanotubes grown on carbon-nanofiber films (MNO-CNT-CNFFs, M= Fe, Co, Ni) via a facile free-surface electrospinning technique followed by in-situ growth carbonization. Combining the high catalytic activity of Fe-catalyzed CNTs and the efficient mass transport characteristics of 3D carbon fiber films, the resultant flexible and robust FeNO-CNT-CNFFs exhibit the highest bifunctional oxygen catalytic activities in terms of a positive half-wave potential (0.87 V) for ORR and low overpotential (430 mV @ 10 mA cm-2) for OER. As a proof-of-concept, newly designed hybrid Li-air batteries fabricated with FeNO-CNT-CNFFs as air electrode present high voltage (~ 3.4 V), low overpotential (0.15 V) and long cycle life (over 120 hours) in practical open air tests, demonstrating the superiority of the freestanding catalysts and their promising potential for the applications in fuel cells and flexible energy storage devices.

Bifunctional 2D structured catalysts for air electrodes in rechargeable metal-air batteries

2024

The inherent technical challenges of metal-air batteries (MABs), arising from the sluggish redox electrochemical reactions on the air electrode, significantly affect their efficiency and life cycle. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with near-atomic thickness have potential as bifunctional catalysts in MABs because of their distinct structures, exceptional physical properties, and tunable surface chemistries. In this study, the chemistry of representative 2D materials was elucidated, and the comprehensive analysis of the primary modification techniques, including geometric structure manipulation, defect engineering, crystal facet selection, heteroatom doping, single-atom catalyst construction, and composite material synthesis, was conducted. The correlation between material structure and activity is illustrated by examples, with the aim of leading the development of advanced catalysts in MABs. We also focus on the future of MABs from the perspective of bifunctional catalysts, definite mechanisms, and standard measurement. We expect this work to serve as a guide for the design of air electrode materials that can be used in MABs.

Carbon Nanofibers as Advanced Pd Catalyst Supports for the Air Electrode of Alkaline Metal-Air Batteries

ChemPlusChem, 2015

Carbon nanofibers are investigated as as upport for Pd catalysts. The electrochemical behavior of thesec atalysts for both the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolutionr eactions is investigated in ah alf-cell configuration in alkaline solution (6 m KOH) at room temperature. The catalysts are compared with an internal benchmark consisting of Pd supported on Vulcan. Stress tests are also performed to assess the stability of the catalysts under the highly corrosiveconditions occurring at the positive electrode, especiallyd uring oxygen evolution (high potential). Pd catalysts supported on carbon nanofibers show promising stability characteristics for applications as bifunctional oxygen catalysts in metal-air batteries. Full electric and hybrid vehicles require higher energy-and power-density storaged evices. The current technology of lithium-ion batteries presents several drawbacks such as its limited driving range, extended battery charging time, limited capacity,l imited efficiency in electricity provision, and high cost of storages ystems. [1] Metal-airb atteriesa re attracting increasing interesta ss ubstitutes fore xisting technologieso wing to their high energy density,r eversibility,a nd versatility.M etal-air batteries are envisaged as asafe, environmentally friendly,and potentially cheap system, not only for electric vehicles,b ut also for both portable and stationary devices. [2-7] There are several types of metal-airbatteries, which are classified according to the metal used (Ca, Mg, Li, Zn, Al, Fe, and Cd) with Li-air,Z n-air,A lair ,a nd Fe-air batteries the most promisingo nes. [2, 5, 7] Among these,l ithium-air cells provide the highest energy density,b ut lithium is still as carce material with severe safetyp roblems. [8-12] Metal-airb atteries based on Al or Zn are also highly promising,b ut Al suffers from ah igh self-corrosion rate in alkaline solutions, and Zn presentsalow cycle life caused by dendrite formationa tt he Zn electrode. Dendrites can pierce the membrane and even reach the air cathode, causing as hort circuit. [13, 14] Iron-air batteries represent as afer and cheaper alternative to those mentioned above

Recent Advances in Electrically Rechargeable Transition Metal-Based-Air Batteries for Electric Mobility

Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 2023

The demand for clean energy from renewable sources is widely acknowledged as a solution to energy security and global warming, but its intermittent nature poses challenges to sustainable power supply. On the other hand, electrochemical storage of energy is a sustainable and reasonably priced method for storing and distributing clean energy to overcome the current global energy crisis and environmental deterioration. They are a viable solution for incessant future power supply due to their high efficiency, safety, and affordability. According to current research, rechargeable aqueous metal-air batteries offer theoretically high energy density, but they suffer from difficulties such as reactivity with aqueous electrolytes, poor performance in practice, and dendrite formation. Solid-state metal-air batteries, on the other hand, provide superior energy density and safety but confront problems in the metal-electrolyte interface and catalyst design. As a result, this research examines the most recent advances in rechargeable solid-state metal-air batteries for electric mobility. This review also provides a theoretical foundation for rational design and performance optimization of innovative electrolytes for RSSBs, highlighting the importance of these electrolytes, electrode reactions, their applications, and future innovation prospects in the development of next-generation energy storage systems.

Atomically Dispersed Transition Metal-Nitrogen-Carbon Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts for Zinc-Air Batteries: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Nano-Micro Letters, 2021

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are currently receiving extensive attention because of their extremely high theoretical specific energy density, low manufacturing costs, and environmental friendliness. Exploring bifunctional catalysts with high activity and stability to overcome sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction is critical for the development of rechargeable ZABs. Atomically dispersed metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts possessing prominent advantages of high metal atom utilization and electrocatalytic activity are promising candidates to promote oxygen electrocatalysis. In this work, general principles for designing atomically dispersed M-N-C are reviewed. Then, strategies aiming at enhancing the bifunctional catalytic activity and stability are presented. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of M-N-C bifunctional oxygen catalysts for ZABs are outlined. It is expected that this review will provide insights into the targeted...

Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reaction (ORR and OER) Bifunctional Electrocatalyst Operating in a Wide pH Range for Cathodic Application in Li–Air Batteries

ACS applied energy materials, 2020

Developing inexpensive, noble metal-free, efficient, stable and bifunctional electrocatalyst has attracted significant research interest in electrocatalysis and air battery based energy storage devices. The fluorinated copper manganese oxide (FCMO) is synthesized in aqueous medium by simple way using hot plate and fume hood. The FCMO catalyst is relatively inexpensive than Pt, Ru and Ir based catalyst, less hazardous than Co based catalyst and at the same time comparable with Fe-Ni based catalyst that only have stable performance in basic medium The FCMO is utilized in combination with carbon black as FCMO-carbon black by dispersing FCMO over carbon black to improve the electron transport efficiency. The FCMO catalyst and FCMO-carbon black show ORR and OER in both the acidic as well as basic medium an impressive property of larger pH window stability with performance. The ORR was found to be a two electron process on both catalytic systems in both acidic and alkaline media. The FCMO-carbon black showed ORR (0.43 V) and OER (1.51 V) vs RHE in 0.5M H 2 SO 4. The onset potential of FCMO-carbon black was found an impressive 0.94 V vs. RHE for ORR and relatively competitive OER at 1.54 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M KOH. The FCMO-carbon black catalyst was also deposited on conducting carbon cloth and used as an air-cathode in hybrid