Ceria nanoclusters coupled with Ce-Nx sites for efficient oxygen reduction in Zn-air batteries

Rational construction of efficient carbon-supported rare earth cerium nanoclusters as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great significance to promote the practical application of zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Herein, N doped conductive carbon black anchored CeO₂ nanoclusters (CeO₂ Clusters/NC) for the ORR is reported. The volatile cerium species vaporized by CeO₂ nanoclusters at high temperatures are captured by nitrogen-rich carbon carriers to form highly dispersed Ce-Nx active sites. Benefiting from the coupling effect between oxygen vacancies-enriched CeO₂ nanoclusters and highly dispersed Ce-Nx sites, the prepared 2CeO₂ Clusters/NC catalyst possesses an ORR half-wave potential of 0.88 V, superior electrochemical stability, and better methanol tolerance compared to commercial Pt/C catalysts. Moreover, the 2CeO₂ Clusters/NC involved liquid ZABs show excellent energy efficiency, superior stability, and a high energy density of 982 Wh kg^-1 at 10 mA cm^-2.