Template-assisted polymerization-pyrolysis derived mesoporous carbon anchored with Fe/Fe3C and Fe−NX species as efficient oxygen reduction catalysts for Zn-air battery

Constructing highly efficient and durable non-noble metal modified carbon catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the whole pH range is essential for energy conversion devices but still remains a challenge. Herein, the Fe/Fe 3 C nanoparticles and Fe-N X species anchored on the interconnected mesoporous carbon materials are fabricated through an economical and facile template-assisted polymerization-pyrolysis strategy. The catalyst exhibits unique features with the electronic interaction between Fe/Fe 3 C and Fe−N X , large specific surface area and high mesoporous structure as well as nitrogen doping in porous carbon skeletons, which can effectively catalyze ORR over the full pH range. In an alkaline electrolyte , the optimized catalyst displays favorable ORR performance with positive onset potential ( E onset  = 0.91 V), half-wave potential ( E 1/2  = 0.83 V), long-term cycles stability and methanol tolerance, exceeding those for the commercial Pt/C. Furthermore, the prepared catalyst could be directly assembled into the alkaline Zn−air battery that exhibits the open-circuit voltage of 1.44 V, high power density of 96.0 mW cm −2 and long-term durability. Therefore, the template-assisted polymerization-pyrolysis strategy provides a promising route for designing high-performance non-noble metal decorated ORR electrocatalysts .