Chlorine–Nitrogen\nDoped Hollow Polyhedral Carbon-Based\nCatalysts for High Performance Zinc–Air Batteries

It is significant to exploit low-cost and high-activity\nelectrocatalysts\nfor practical zinc–air batteries (ZABs). Herein, a chlorine-nitrogen\ncodoped hollow carbon polyhedron catalyst (Cl-NC-1000) is synthesized\nby the thermal decomposition of ZIF precursors with a template and\nintercalating agent of NaCl. Experimental results demonstrate that\nthe synergistic effect of chlorine and nitrogen adjusts the electronic\nstructure of neighboring carbon atoms, facilitating the capturing/releasing\nof oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) intermediates, thereby reinforcing\nthe intrinsic activity. As a result, the fabricated Cl-NC-1000 catalyst\nexhibits an outstanding ORR performance, including catalytic activity,\nselectivity, and stability. When applied in ZABs, the Cl-NC-1000 catalyst\nmaintains a voltage difference of ca. 0.96 V at 5 mA cm<sup>–2</sup> and cycles over 300 h with an energy efficiency of 53%, superior\nto those of commercial Pt/C-based rechargeable ZABs. This work provides\nan efficient strategy for designing cost-effective and high-activity\nnonmetallic ORR catalysts.