Preparation of FeCoNi bifunctional cathode catalyst and its application in zinc-air batteries

Abstract Transition metal Ni, known for its low cost, environmental compatibility, and excellent catalytic performance, has emerged as a promising candidate for cathode catalysts in zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Additionally, the synergistic effects of Fe and Co offer a compelling research direction for enhancing catalytic activity. In this study, we employed a solvent-heating synthesis method to prepare FeCoNi trimetallic catalysts and compared their performance with NiCo-based trimetallic catalysts. The FeCoNi catalyst demonstrated superior bifunctional catalytic performance, exhibiting a low over-potential of 0.934 V and a high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of 7.13 mF cm⁻², outperforming other NiCo-based trimetallic catalysts.