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Nonmetallic High-Entropy-Engineered Nanocarbons for Advanced ORR Electrocatalysis
Huibing Wang1,2, Kai Chen1,2, Zhiwen Lu1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Techniques toward Hydrogen Energy, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China.
We developed a high-entropy engineered nanocarbon (HENC) catalyst with five nonmetal dopants. This novel HENC demonstrates exceptional performance for oxygen reduction reactions and in zinc-air batteries, rivaling platinum catalysts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- High-entropy materials offer unique properties for diverse applications.
- Nonmetal electrocatalysts are crucial for energy conversion technologies.
- Developing cost-effective alternatives to platinum catalysts is a key challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel high-entropy engineered nanocarbon (HENC).
- To evaluate the HENC's performance as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
- To assess the HENC's efficacy as a cathode catalyst in zinc-air batteries.
Main Methods:
- In situ polymerization modification of ZIF-8 followed by pyrolysis to synthesize HENC.
- Electrochemical testing to determine ORR activity and cyclic stability.
- Fabrication and testing of zinc-air batteries utilizing HENC cathodes.
Main Results:
- The synthesized HENC, co-doped with B, F, P, S, and N, showed ORR activity comparable to Pt/C catalysts.
- HENC exhibited superior cyclic stability compared to benchmark Pt/C catalysts.
- Zinc-air batteries with HENC cathodes achieved a peak power density of 604 mW cm⁻², exceeding commercial Pt/C (542 mW cm⁻²), and demonstrated 16-day stability.
Conclusions:
- The study introduces a new class of high-entropy engineered nanocarbons with significant potential.
- Synergistic effects of heteroatoms and high entropy in HENCs enhance ORR performance.
- HENCs represent a promising low-cost, high-performance alternative to noble metal catalysts for energy applications.
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