Cu/Cu_(2)O nanoparticles co-regulated carbon catalyst for alkaline Al-air batteries

摘要

Developing high-efficiency,inexpensive,and steady non-precious metal oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) catalysts to displace Pt-based catalysts is significant for commercial applications of Al-air battery.Here,we have prepared the Cu/Cu_(2)O-NC catalyst with excellent ORR performance and high stability,due to the synergistic effect of Cu and Cu_(2)O nanoparticles.The half-wave potential(0.8 V) and the limiting-current density(5.20 mA/cm^(2)) of the Cu/Cu_(2)O-NC are very close to those of the 20% Pt/C catalyst(0.82 V,5.10 mA/cm^(2)).Besides,it exhibits excellent performance with a maximal power density of 250 mW/cm^(2) and a stable continuous discharge for more than 90 h in the Al-air battery test The promoting effects of Cu_(2)O towards Cu-based ORR catalysts are illustrated as follows:(ⅰ) Cu_(2)O is the major ORR active site by the redox of Cu(Ⅱ)/Cu(Ⅰ),which provides excellent ORR activities;(ⅱ) Cu can stabilize the location of Cu_(2)O by assisting the electron transfer to Cu(Ⅱ)/Cu(Ⅰ) redox,which is conducive to the high stability of the catalyst.This work provides a useful strategy for enhancing the ORR performance of Cu-based catalysts.