Well-defined carbon nanoframes containing bimetal-N-C active sites as efficient bi-functional electrocatalysts for Li-O₂ batteries

Design and fabrication of framework-structured porous precursors have been regarded as a prospective albeit challenging strategy to obtain bimetal/NC-enriched bifunctional elecrocatalysts. In this work, an effective bottom-up approach involving solution-based self-assembly and a post-annealing process was developed to confine (Co, Zn)-N-C active sites into N-enriched graphitic carbon nanocages. This novel architecture containing N-doped-C stabilized bimetallic nanoparticles derived from ZIF precursors was well-studied by a series of characterization and analysis techniques. Details were given that these well-dispersed (Co, Zn) nanoparticles were encapsulated into the pyridinic-N-dominated graphitic carbon nanocage with a total metal loading of approximately 7.4 at.%. This favorable hierarchical structure not only enhances the electron conductivity, but also owns a sufficient BET surface area facilitating the gas-liquid-solid triphase reaction and producing more space to store discharge products. Importantly, results infer that the interesting nanoframes manifest a satisfying ORR/OER activity and enhanced cell performance whether liquid or solid-state electrolytes are used. As such, our work rationalizes that this type of cage-shaped bimetal-N-C material is promising for high-performance Li-O₂ batteries.