Co/N-Tio 2  As a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction with Excellent Zinc-Air Battery Performance

Abstract

The development of highly efficient and low-cost non-precious metal oxygen reduction catalysts holds critical significance for advancing the commercialization of metal-air battery and fuel cell. In this work, we engineered a Co-loaded N-doped TiO2 (Co/N-TiO2) catalyst by employing TiO2 as a support matrix with N doping to enhance its intrinsic conductivity. The Co55/N-TiO2 catalyst (prepared with 55 mg of Co(CH3COO)2·4H2O) exhibits a half-wave potential (0.865 V versus RHE) comparable to commercial Pt/C, along with significantly enhanced electrocatalytic kinetics and stability. Moreover, when employed as the cathode, the Co55/N-TiO2 catalyst demonstrates superior Zinc-air battery performance compared to commercial Pt/C. This performance enhancement originates from the synergistic interplay between Co species and the N-TiO2 matrix, where N doping facilitates the formation of both Co-N coordination structures and Ti-O-N bonds. These structural configurations can significantly improve oxygen reduction activity.

Keywords: oxygen reduction reaction, Co55/N-TiO2 catalyst, Catalytic activity, Zinc-air battery