2D Metal-Organic Framework derived CuCo Alloy Nanoparticles Encapsulated Nitrogen-doped Carbonaceous Nanoleaves for Efficient Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst and Zinc-Air Batteries.

Abstract

The development of efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is still remained a challenge in wide range of renewable energy technologies. Herein, CuCo alloy nanoparticles encapsulated nitrogen-doped carbonaceous nanoleaves (CuCo@NC) have been synthesized from a 2D leaf-like Cu(OH)2/ zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-L)-pyrolysis approach. Leaf-like Cu(OH)2 is first prepared by ultra-sound induced self-assembly of Cu(OH)2 nanowires. The efficient encapsulation of Cu(OH)2 in ZIF-L is achieved due to the morphology fitting between the leaf-like Cu(OH)2 and ZIF-L. CuCo@NC catalysts present superior electrocatalytic activity and stability toward ORR and OER over the commercial Pt/C and IrO2, respectively, which are further used as bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts in Zn-air batteries and exhibits impressive performance, with a high peak power density of 303.7 mW cm-2, large specific capacity up to 751.4 mAh g-1 at 20 mA cm-2, and a superior rechargeable stability.