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

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 (Δ E ) 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 RuO 2 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.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Energy Materials
Published
2025-03-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202500360
Citations
40
Primary Topic
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
14.54

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article

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

Junfeng Huang, Yong‐Fei Zheng, Mingkai Liu, Kwun Nam Hui et al.
40 citations
Advanced Energy Materials
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
14.54
article

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

Junfeng Huang, Yong‐Fei Zheng, Mingkai Liu, Kwun Nam Hui, Yusheng Yan, Yan Yan, Zhangjian Li, Jizhao Zou, Yuechao Yao, Xiaoxue Xu
article en
40 citations

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 (Δ E ) 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 RuO 2 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.

Advanced Energy MaterialsVol. 15(27)
China Three Gorges University (CN), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (CN), Shenzhen University (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), University of Macau (MO), Dongguan University of Technology (CN), Anhui University of Technology (CN)
Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of Anhui Province, National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Shenzhen University, National Key Research and Development Program of China
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
14.54
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