articleMetals AdvancesJan 23, 2026HYBRID OA

Engineering Mn-N sites on nitrogen-doped carbon spheres as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for zinc-air batteries

Jiangsu University of Science and Technology · Anhui University of Science and Technology

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Abstract

The Mn/N co-doped carbon spheres (Mn@NCS) were synthesized via a dual-template strategy by employing polydopamine (PDA) spheres and Mn-doped ZIF-8 as precursors, which enables precise anchoring of highly dispersed Mn-N x sites onto the surface of NCS. The introduction of Mn atoms markedly boosts both the catalytic activity of electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and long-term durability, primarily through the synergistic couple between high specific surface area of NCS and hierarchical pore architecture generated by Zn volatilization during pyrolysis. This unique structural configuration effectively optimizes the active-site dispersion and mass-transport efficiency. Electrocatalytic evaluations show…

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