Rational design of advanced oxygen electrocatalysts for high-performance zinc-air batteries

Zinc-air batteries (ZABs), with advantages of high energy density (1,086 Wh kg −1 ), high safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost, have attracted extensive attention. Designing efficient oxygen electrocatalysts is crucial for development of high-performance ZABs. Here, we review the recent progress of designing efficient oxygen electrocatalysts ranging from nanomaterials to single-atom catalysts. Various strategies (including introduction of defects, doping, size effects, synergistic effects, etc.) for designing advanced oxygen electrocatalysts are discussed, and the structure-activity relationships of typical catalysts are analyzed. Experimental results combined with theoretical calculations are used to analyze the reaction mechanism of oxygen electrocatalysts, which will promote development of ZABs. Finally, future directions and challenging perspectives for oxygen electrocatalysts are discussed. Development of renewable clean energy is urgently needed to solve the increasing energy shortage and environmental pollution. The goal of realizing carbon neutralization puts forward stricter requirements for developing new energy technologies. Among various energy storage and conversion devices, zinc-air batteries have unique advantages, such as high energy density, high safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost, endowing them with great potential for advanced energy supply systems. Designing efficient oxygen electrocatalysts is crucial for improving the energy conversion efficiency and operational stability of zinc-air batteries. This review summarizes the recent progress of advanced oxygen electrocatalysts for zinc-air batteries, which is of great importance to guide future directions of emerging oxygen electrocatalysts. Designing efficient oxygen electrocatalysts is crucial for improving the energy conversion efficiency of zinc-air batteries. In this review, Han et al. discuss the recent progress of designing efficient oxygen electrocatalysts ranging from nanomaterials to single-atom catalysts. Various strategies for designing advanced oxygen electrocatalysts are discussed, and the structure-activity relationships of typical catalysts are analyzed. Experimental results combined with theoretical calculations are used to analyze the reaction mechanism of oxygen electrocatalysts, which will promote development of ZABs.