Modulating Electronic Properties with sp-N Incorporation in Co–N–C Catalyst for Enhanced Performance in Zinc–Air Batteries

The incorporation of sp-hybridized nitrogen arisen from graphdiyne (GDY) into the catalyst structure significantly improves the electrocatalytic efficiency of zinc–air batteries by modulating the electronic properties of the active sites, thereby accelerating reaction kinetics and enhancing conductivity. This work highlights the efficacy of the Co–N-GDY catalyst, where sp-N moieties in GDY serving as anchoring centers for cobalt species, which demonstrates exceptional performance in the oxygen reduction reaction, achieving a half-wave potential of 0.85 V, along with high oxygen evolution reaction performance that surpasses that of commercial Pt/C + IrO2-based batteries. The Co–N-GDY catalyst also exhibits commendable cycling stability with minimal fluctuation in voltage difference, indicating its suitability for practical applications in advanced energy storage systems. These findings underscore the importance of developing cost-effective and durable M–N–C catalysts to enhance the commercial viability and sustainability of zinc–air battery technology.