Stabilizing Pt3Co intermetallic nanocrystals on Co3ZnC/Co in N-doped carbon for efficient oxygen reduction reaction and high-performance zinc-air batteries

Tremendous attention has been paid to the stabilization of Pt-based catalysts on desirable supports to reduce Pt loading in zinc-air batteries (ZABs). However, it is still challenging to design catalysts with efficient activity and stability because of the sluggish kinetic of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurred at cathode. Here, we proposed an effective strategy to fabricate highly dispersed Pt3Co nanocrystals on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-derived multicomponent support of Co3ZnC@Co in N-doped carbon. Especially, Pt3Co intermetallic can be simultaneously generated on the formed Co3ZnC@Co-NC after the two-step pyrolysis. The Co3ZnC@CoNC is beneficial to enhance the anchoring ability, resulting in an improved stability for active Pt3Co nanocrystals. What's more, theoretical calculation reveals the unique composition of support could adjust the geometric configuration and electronic structure of Pt, resulting in a favorable ORR process. As expected, the optimal Pt3Co/Co3ZnC@Co-NC delivers the high half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.90 V and only 11 mV of negative shift on E1/2 after 30000 cycles. When applied in air cathode, Pt3Co/Co3ZnC@Co-NC-based ZABs also exhibit considerable performance with peak power density of 172 mW cm-2, specific capacity of 809 mAh g-1, and long-term cycling stability. This work provides an insight for preparation of durable ORR catalysts for ZABs.