Oxygen Reduction Kinetics of Fe–N–C Single Atom Catalysts Boosted by Pyridinic N Vacancy for Temperature-Adaptive Zn–Air Batteries

The design of temperature-adaptive Zn–air batteries (ZABs) with long life spans and high energy efficiencies is challenging owing to sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics and an unstable Zn/electrolyte interface. Herein, a quasi-solid-state ZAB is designed by combining atomically dispersed Fe–N–C catalysts containing pyridinic N vacancies (FeNC-VN) with a polarized organo-hydrogel electrolyte. First-principles calculation predicts that adjacent VN sites effectively enhance the covalency of Fe–Nx moieties and moderately weaken *OH binding energies, significantly boosting the ORR kinetics and stability. In situ Raman spectra reveal the dynamic evolution of *O2– and *OOH on the FeNC-VN cathode in the…

• KI
  Korea Institute of Science and Technology

  Award: 2V09840
• NR
  National Research Foundation of Korea

  Awards: NRF-2020M3D1A1110527, NRF-2022R1A2B5B03001781