Local Electric Fields Coupled with Cl⁻ Fixation Strategy Improves Seawater Oxygen Reduction Reaction Performance

Authors

Yu-Rong Liu, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
Miao Zhang, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
Yan-Hui Yu, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
Ya-Lin Liu, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
Jing Li, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
Xiao-Dong Shi, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
Zhen-Ye Kang, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
Dao-Xiong Wu, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
Peng Rao, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.Follow
Ying Liang, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.Follow
Xin-Long Tian, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.Follow

Document Type

Article

Corresponding Author(s)

Peng Rao(raopeng@hainanu.edu.cn);
Ying Liang(liangying@hainanu.edu.cn);
Xin-Long Tian(tianxl@hainanu.edu.cn)

Abstract

The development of robust electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in seawater electrolyte is the key to realize the seawater electrolyte-based zinc-air batteries (SZABs). Herein, constructing a local electric field coupled with Cl^— fixation strategy in dual single-atom catalysts (DSACs) is proposed, and the resultant catalyst delivers considerable ORR performance in seawater electrolyte, with a high half-wave potential (E_1/2) of 0.868 V and a good maximum power density (Pmax) of 182 mW cm⁻² in the assembled SZABs, much higher than those of the Pt/C catalyst (E_1/2: 0.846 V; Pmax: 150 mW cm⁻²). The in-situ characterization and theoretical calculations reveal that the Fe sites have a higher Cl⁻ adsorption affinity than the Co sites, preferentially adsorbs Cl⁻ in seawater electrolyte during the ORR process, thus constructs a low-concentration Cl⁻ local microenvironment through the common-ion exclusion effect, which prevents Cl⁻ adsorption and corrosion the Co active centers, achieving impressive catalytic stability. In addition, the directional charge movement between Fe and Co atomic pairs constructs a local electric field, optimizing the adsorption energy of Co sites for oxygen-containing intermediates, and further improving the ORR activity.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Seawater zinc-air batteries, Oxygen reduction reaction, Local electric fields, Cl− fixation strategy, Single-atom catalysts

DOI

10.61558/2993-074X.3566

Online Date

6-3-2025

Recommended Citation

Yu-Rong Liu, Miao Zhang, Yan-Hui Yu, Ya-Lin Liu, Jing Li, Xiao-Dong Shi, Zhen-Ye Kang, Dao-Xiong Wu, Peng Rao, Ying Liang, Xin-Long Tian. Local Electric Fields Coupled with Cl⁻ Fixation Strategy Improves Seawater Oxygen Reduction Reaction Performance[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, doi: 10.61558/2993-074X.3566.