Dual-atom catalyst boosts performance of zinc-air batteries for real-world applications

A research team has unveiled a breakthrough in improving the performance of zinc-air batteries (ZABs), which are an important energy storage technology. This breakthrough involves a new catalyst that significantly boosts the efficiency of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a crucial process in ZABs. The development could lead to more efficient, long-lasting batteries for practical applications.

The study is published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science.

The oxygen reduction reaction is a critical step in many energy conversion devices, including ZABs. However, the reaction often suffers from slow kinetics, which limits the performance of the batteries. To solve this, platinum-based catalysts are typically used, but they are expensive, scarce, and can be poisoned by impurities.

Researchers have been searching for alternatives that are both cost-effective and highly efficient. This study focuses on a new class of catalysts called dual-atom catalysts (DACs), which consist of two metal atoms closely paired together to enhance catalytic activity.

The team, led by Di Zhang, assistant professor at Tohoku University’s Advanced Institute of Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), used a combination of computational modeling and experimental techniques to design and create a dual-atom catalyst made of iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co), which are combined with nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) in a porous structure.

This catalyst, named Fe₁Co₁-N-C, was identified as the optimal catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline conditions. The unique combination of materials allows the catalyst to function efficiently, making it a promising candidate for use in ZABs.

The researchers designed the Fe₁Co₁-N-C catalyst by first using a model to predict how pH (acidity) affects the reaction. This guided them in the creation of a catalyst with the right properties for maximum efficiency. They then synthesized the catalyst using a method that involved hard templates and a CO₂ activation process to create a structure that has small pores. These pores are essential for allowing reactants to move through the material, which improves the overall catalytic performance.

The Fe₁Co₁-N-C catalyst showed a significantly higher oxygen reduction activity than the commonly used platinum catalyst (Pt/C). In practical terms, the Fe₁Co₁-N-C-based zinc-air batteries demonstrated a high open-circuit voltage of 1.51 volts, meaning they can generate a substantial amount of energy.

Additionally, the batteries displayed an energy density of 1,079 watt-hours per kilogram of zinc (Wh kgZn^-1), which is an excellent measure of energy storage capability.

In addition to the high voltage and energy density, the Fe₁Co₁-N-C-based batteries also demonstrated an excellent rate capability, meaning they can perform well even when subjected to high current densities—ranging from 2 to 600 milliamps per square centimeter (mA cm^-2). More remarkably, the batteries showed an ultra-long lifespan, lasting over 3,600 hours and completing 7,200 cycles under a moderate current, which is far superior to most other batteries.

Zhang explains, “This work provides an efficient and rational strategy for designing and synthesizing catalysts that can be used in real-world applications. By combining theoretical models with practical synthesis methods, we were able to develop a catalyst that can significantly improve the performance of zinc-air batteries.”

Looking ahead, Zhang and his team plan to continue their research by developing even more advanced methods to create dual-atom catalysts with precise atomic pairings. They also intend to enhance techniques for identifying the specific active sites in the catalysts. These efforts aim to further optimize the performance of energy conversion technologies and make them even more efficient and cost-effective for widespread use.