Strong Carbon Layer-Encapsulated Cobalt Tin Sulfide-Based Nanoporous Material as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Zinc–Air Batteries

Global demands for cost-effective, durable, highly active, and bifunctional catalysts for metal–air batteries are tremendously increasing in scientific research fields. In this work, a strategy for the rational fabrication of carbon layer-encapsulated cobalt tin sulfide nanopores (CoSnOH/S@C NPs) material as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable zinc (Zn)–air batteries by a cost-effective and facile two-step hydrothermal method is reported. Moreover, the effect of metal elements on the morphology of CoSnOH nanodisks material via the hydrothermal method is investigated. Owing to its excellent nanostructure, exclusive porous network, and high specific surface area, the optimized CoSnOH/S@C NPs material reveals superior catalytic properties. The as-prepared CoSnOH/S@C NPs electrocatalyst reveals better properties of oxygen reduction reaction (half-wave potential of −0.88 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode) and oxygen evolution reaction (overpotential of 137 mV at 10 mA cm⁻²) when compared with commercial Pt/C and IrO₂ catalyst materials. Most significantly, the CoSnO/S@C NPs-based Zn–air battery exhibits more excellent cycling stability than the Pt/C+IrO₂ catalyst-based one. Consequently, the proposed material provides a new route for fabricating more active and stable multifunctional catalyst materials for energy conversion and storage systems.