Prokaryote-Inspired and Derived Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts for Ultra-Long-Life Zn–Air Batteries

Abstract

The design of efficient oxygen reductionreaction (ORR) catalyst with fast kinetics is crucial for high-performance Zn–air batteries but remains a challenge. Herein, inspired by the oxidative respiratory chain of prokaryotes, an ORR electrocatalyst is reported by mimicking the microstructure of Staphylococcus aureus and simitaneously utilizing this low-cost cell as the precursor. The catalyst consists of MnO₂/Co₂P nanocomposites support on Staphylococcus aureus-derived hollow spherical carbon, which not only accelerates electron transfer for improved intrinsic reaction kinetics, but also creates an OH⁻ concentration gradient for enhanced mass transfer efficiency. Such bio-inspired and derived ORR catalyst enables rechargeable Zn–air batteries with ultra-long cycling stability of more than 2800 h at a high capacity of 810.3 mAh g⁻¹, which is superior among the reported bio-derived oxygen catalysts. A flexible Zn–air battery based on the bio-inspired and derived catalyst is also assembled, and it well integrates with a wireless flexible electronic skin.