Cu‐Co Oxide/Carbon Composites Modified by DBD Plasma for Flexible Zn‐Air Battery Cathodes

ABSTRACT This study is aimed at the demand for high‐performance energy storage systems in flexible wearable electronic devices, focusing on the development of cathode catalysts for flexible zinc–air batteries. Aiming at the problems of high cost and resource constraints of traditional noble metal catalysts, this study designed a nonnoble metal composite catalyst (Cu 3 ‐Co 1 /AC) based on copper–cobalt oxide/activated carbon and proposed an innovative “step‐by‐step synthesis‐dielectric barrier discharge plasma synergistic modification” preparation strategy. By systematically regulating the plasma treatment power, time, and atmosphere, the influence of this modification technology on the microstructure, surface chemical state, and electrochemical performance of the catalyst was deeply explored. The results showed that the optimal modification condition was treated under oxygen atmosphere and 50 W for 10 min. This condition effectively introduces abundant oxygen vacancy defects into the catalyst, optimizes the valence distribution of Cu + /Cu 2+ and Co 2+ /Co 3+ , and strengthens the interface coupling between metal oxide and carbon support. The obtained Cu 3 ‐Co 1 /AC‐DBD catalyst shows excellent bifunctional catalytic activity of ORR and OER, and the obtained bifunctional potential difference (ΔE) is about 0.866 V. The assembled flexible zinc–air battery exhibited a high power density of 240 mW cm −2 and achieved long‐cycle stable operation of more than 90 h at a current density of 5 mA cm −2 . This work not only confirms the effectiveness and uniqueness of low‐temperature plasma technology in controllable preparation and performance enhancement of nonnoble metal catalysts, but also provides a new solution for the development of low‐cost, high‐activity, and long‐life flexible zinc–air battery cathode materials’ solution and solid experimental foundation.