Plasma-engineering of Pt-decorated NiCo2O4 Nanowires with Rich Oxygen Vacancies for Enhanced Oxygen Electrocatalysis and Zinc-Air Battery Performance

The development of low-cost and efficient bifunctional catalysts is of great importance for the advancement of high-performance rechargeable zinc-air batteries. In this study, we present a composite material comprising Pt-decorated NiCo2O4 nanowires enriched with abundant oxygen vacancies, designed as an excellent bifunctional electrocatalyst for both the oxygen evolution reaction and the oxygen reduction reaction. The introduction of Pt atoms and oxygen vacancies onto the NiCo2O4 nanowires was achieved with the assistance of plasma treatment. This approach resulted in a catalyst with a greater number of active sites, enhanced surface conductivity and significantly improved electrocatalytic activity compared to the original NiCo2O4 nanowires. Moreover, the zinc-air battery based on this composite catalyst exhibits a narrow charge/discharge voltage gap and superior stability, which is better than batteries employing commercial noble-metal-based catalysts. This work provides a rational strategy for the construction of high-active and cost-effective Pt-based electrocatalysts.