Structural Engineering of Bimetallic CoCe-ZIF Derives Catalysts with Optimized Electronic Structure for Enhanced Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Developing efficient and durable non-precious metal catalysts for oxygen electrocatalysis in fuel cells and zinc–air batteries remains an urgent issue to be addressed. Herein, a bimetallic CoCe-NC catalyst is synthesized through pyrolysis of Co/Ce co-doped metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), retaining the inherently high surface area of MOFs to maximize the exposure of Co-N and Ce-N active sites. The electronic interaction between Co and Ce atoms effectively modulates the adsorption/desorption behavior of oxygen-containing intermediates, thereby enhancing intrinsic catalytic activity. In alkaline media, the CoCe-NC catalyst exhibits E1/2 = 0.854 V electrocatalytic capability comparable to commercial Pt/C, along with superior methanol resistance and durability. Notably, CoCe-NC demonstrates an overpotential 84 mV lower than Pt/C at 300 mA cm−2 in a GDE half-cell. When the catalyst is employed as a cathode in zinc–air batteries, it demonstrates an open-circuit voltage of 1.47 V, a peak power density of 202 mW cm−2, and exceptional cycling durability.