FeNiCo|MnGaOx Heterostructure Nanoparticles as Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Zn−Air Batteries

Driven by the pressing demand for stable energy systems, zinc-air batteries (ZABs) have emerged as crucial energy storage solutions. However, the quest for cost-effective catalysts to enhance vital oxygen evolution and reduction reactions remains challenging. FeNiCo|MnGaO_x heterostructure nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are synthesized using liquid-phase reduction and H₂ calcination approach. Compared to its component, such FeNiCo|MnGaO_x/CNT shows a high synergistic effect, low impedance, and modulated electronic structure, leading to a superior bifunctional catalytic performance with an overpotential of 255 mV at 10 mA cm^-2 and half-wave potential of 0.824 V (ω = 1600 rpm and 0.1 m KOH electrolyte). Moreover, ZABs based on FeNiCo|MnGaO_x/CNT demonstrate notable features, including a peak power density of 136.1 mW cm^-2, a high specific capacity of 808.3 mAh g_Zn ^-1, and outstanding stability throughout >158 h of uninterrupted charge-discharge cycling. Theoretical calculations reveal that the non-homogeneous interface can introduce more carriers and altered electronic structures to refine intermediate adsorption reactions, especially promoting O* formation, thereby enhancing electrocatalytic performance. This work demonstrates the importance of heterostructure interfacial modulation of electronic structure and enhancement of adsorption capacity in promoting the implementation of OER/ORR, ZABs, and related applications.