Pyrochlore@PBA derived electrocatalyst containing Ru nanoparticle and NiFe alloy for the oxygen evolution and reduction reactions

Abstract

Developing enhanced electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is essential for commercializing green energy technologies, such as Zn–air batteries. In this study, a uniquely designed metal catalyst–support material composite was synthesized using a Prussian blue analogue (PBA) and Y2Ru2O7 (YRO) pyrochlore for Zn-air battery. P–S-doped Ru nanoparticles and PBA-derived NiFe alloys anchored on the YRO pyrochlore (YRO@NiFe/Ru-PS) were synthesized in one pyrolysis process via in situ exsolution. The electronic structure of the Ru and NiFe particles was tailored by the pyrochlore support and P–S dual doping, which decreased the energy barrier for the catalytic reaction. YRO@NiFe/Ru-PS exhibited outstanding OER (overpotential = 241 mA/cm2; Tafel slope = 36 mV/dec) and ORR (half-wave potential = 0.83 V; Tafel slope = 65 mV/dec) performances. Furthermore, it also exhibited high performance in Zn–air battery applications (power density = 112 mW/cm2). This paper proposes an efficient and unique design strategy for developing OER/ORR bifunctional electrocatalysts. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.