Redox-Inert Fe3+ Ions in Octahedral Sites of Co-Fe Spinel Oxides with Enhanced Oxygen Catalytic Activity for Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries

Bimetallic cobalt-based spinel is sparking much interest, most notably for its excellent bifunctional performance. However, the effect of Fe3+ doping in Co3O4 spinel remains poorly understood, mainly because the surface state of a catalyst is difficult to characterize. Herein, a bifunctional oxygen electrode composed of spinel Co2FeO4/(Co0.72Fe0.28)(Td)(Co1.28Fe0.72)(Oct)O-4 nanoparticles grown on N-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) is designed, which exhibits superior performance to state-of-the-art noble metal catalysts. Theoretical calculations and magnetic measurements reveal that the introduction of Fe3+ ions into the Co3O4 network causes delocalization of the Co 3d electrons and spin-state transition. Fe3+ ions can effectively activate adjacent Co3+ ions under the action of both spin and charge effect, resulting in the enhanced intrinsic oxygen catalytic activity of the hybrid spinel Co2FeO4. This work provides not only a promising bifunctional electrode for zinc-air batteries, but also offers a new insight to understand the Co-Fe spinel oxides for oxygen electrocatalysis.