journal article·2025-07Open access

Facile Microwave Synthesis of Kilogram‐Scale Electrocatalysts with Nanocarbons Bridged Cobalt Active Sites for Enhanced Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Junfeng Huang, Xiao Xu, Yusheng Yan, Yong Zheng, Yuechao Yao, Zhangjian Li, Yan Yan, Kwun Nam Hui, Jizhao Zou, Mingkai Liu

Advanced Energy Materials· Volume 15· Issue 27

Abstract

Abstract Oxygen reductions and evolution reactions (ORR/OER) are pivotal electrochemical processes in fuel cells and metal‐air batteries, yet the rapid, large‐scale production of efficient ORR/OER electrocatalysts remains challenging. Herein, a groundbreaking microwave‐synthesis strategy is presented that enables the rapid and facile preparation of kilogram‐scale ORR/OER electrocatalysts. The unique microwave irradiation generates instantaneous thermal energy, facilitating the formation of nano‐carbon bridges that interconnect high‐density active sites comprising cobalt single atoms and nanoparticles. This innovative architectural configuration significantly enhances the kinetics of electron/mass transfer and maximizing the accessibility of active sites. The optimized carbon‐bridged cobalt catalyst (CBCo‐800) demonstrates a commendable half‐wave potential (E 1/2) of 0.86 V versus RHE and a minimal overpotential difference (ΔE) of 0.696 V. Furthermore, lab‐assembled zinc‐air battery utilizing CBCo‐800 achieved a great specific capacity of 794 mAh g−1 and sustained over 650 h, outperforming commercial Pt/C and RuO2 catalysts. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate that the nanocarbon bridge between the dual‐active sites boosts oxygen activation and optimizes the adsorption/desorption dynamics of *OH/*OOH intermediates, thereby lowering the energy barriers for ORR/OER. This study offers a facile solution for producing dual‐active site materials, and also establishes a robust platform for the mass production of high‐performance electrocatalysts.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · Nanomaterials for catalytic reactions · Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Mechanical Engineering Dongguan University of Technology Dongguan 523808 P. R. China

Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Special Functional Materials & Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Advance Technology of Ceramics College of Materials Science and Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen Guangdong 518060 P. R. China

College of Materials and Chemical Engineering Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials China Three Gorges University Yichang 443002 P. R. China

Power Battery & Systems Research Center State Key Laboratory of Catalysis Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Dalian 116023 P. R. China

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Anhui University of Technology Ma'anshan Anhui 243002 P. R. China

Joint Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade Taipa Macau 999078 P. R. China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China · China Postdoctoral Science Foundation · Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Anhui Province

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