Metal-organic Frameworks Derived Cobalt Encapsulated in Nitrogen-doped Porous Carbon Nanosheets for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Rechargeable Zinc-air Batteries

Nitrogen(N)-doped carbon nanosheets(TCM-900) were prepared by pyrolyzing the cobalt metal organic framework(MOF) and acid treatment. The TCM-900 showed outstanding ORR performance with half-potential of 0.805 V. The density function theory(DFT) reveals the nitrogen activates the carbon atoms in the framework. The homemade ZAB with TCM-900 as ORR electrocatalyst exhibits high-power density of 45 mW·cm−2 and excellent long recharge cycling stability compared to Pt/C at 10 mA·cm−2. This work illustrates an attractive future of the rechargeable ZAB.