Co3O4 Nanoparticle/F, N-codoped Graphene for High Efficiency Oxygen Reduction and Zinc-air Battery

The connection between the active components and supports in a catalyst is important for the high activity and long-term stability during catalysis. Here, Co3O4 nanoparticles embedded in F, N-doped graphene (Co3O4/F, N-doped G) are synthesized by silicon-hydrogen bond reduction. F and N atoms doped graphene interacts with Co3O4 nanoparticles to optimize oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity. The optimal Co3O4/F, N-doped G-2 catalyst with Co loading of 3.38 wt% shows a half-wave potential of 0.852 V vs RHE in 0.1 M KOH solution. Furthermore, Co3O4/F, N-doped G-2 catalyst outputs an extremely high open circuit voltage of 1.47 V and an excellent power density of 280 mW cm(-2) at current density of 450 mA cm(-2) when applied to the primary Zn-air batteries. Due to the synergetic effects from Co3O4 and supports (F, N-doped G), Co3O4/F, N-doped G-2 catalyst also shows excellent stability and anti-toxicity, and has good practical application prospects.