Electrochemically Modified Interface Promoting the Oxygen-Electrocatalytic Kinetics in Near-Neutral Zinc-Air...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Near-neutral zinc-air batteries (ZABs) face performance limitations due to slow oxygen reaction kinetics.
• Existing catalyst advancements offer limited improvements in overall battery efficiency and power.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an electrochemical modification strategy to enhance both the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and bifunctional catalyst in ZABs.
• To improve electrolyte wettability, induce beneficial catalyst defects, and enlarge the three-phase reaction region.

Main Methods:

• Electrochemical modification of the GDL and bifunctional catalyst.
• Introduction of oxygen-containing functional groups on the GDL.
• Induction of hydrous phase formation and structural defects in the catalyst.

Main Results:

• Achieved a peak power density of 58.1 mW cm⁻² in modified ZABs, a nearly fourfold increase over the unmodified system (15.4 mW cm⁻²).
• Attained high energy efficiency of 59% sustained over 400 hours of cycling.
• Demonstrated significant improvements in oxygen reduction and evolution kinetics.

Conclusions:

• The interfacial engineering approach provides a scalable route to high-efficiency, high-power ZABs.
• This method is broadly applicable to diverse catalysts and electrolyte systems.
• Enhanced ZAB performance through improved interfacial properties and reaction kinetics.