In Situ Construction of Perovskite Pr 0.5 Ba 0.5 Mn 0.8 Co 0.1 Ru 0.1 O 2.5+δ /CoRu Nanoparticles with Co–N–C Composite Enabling Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Zinc‐Air Batteries

Bifunctional catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential components of rechargeable zinc-air batteries. In this study, we synthesized a Pr_0.5Ba_0.5Mn_0.8Co_0.1Ru_0.1O_2.5+δ (PBMCRO) perovskite composite with in situ exsolved CoRu nanoparticles and Co-N-C, functioning as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for zinc-air batteries. The in situ exsolution of CoRu nanoparticles from the perovskite oxide was facilitated by the reducing action of 2-methylimidazole (2-MIM). Concurrently, Co-N-C was used to decorate PBMCRO, forming a novel bifunctional composite electrode of Co-N-C-PBMCRO. The incorporation of CoRu nanoparticles introduces a significant number of electrochemically active oxygen vacancies in the perovskite matrix, enhancing ORR and OER performance. Additionally, the Co-N-C synergistically improves electrochemical activity while preserving the structural stability of the perovskite oxide. The prepared Co-N-C-PBMCRO catalyst demonstrates significantly enhanced bifunctional performance compared to the undecorated pristine perovskite Pr_0.5Ba_0.5MnO_3-δ (PBMO). The zinc-air battery with Co-N-C-PBMCRO catalyst achieve a peak power density of approximately 90 mW/cm² and exhibit remarkable cycling stability for 788 h. This study presents a novel and effective strategy to enhance the catalytic performance of perovskite-based air electrodes for rechargeable metal-air batteries.