@article {49802,
	title = {Defect-rich CoFe-alloy with engineered carbon support for high-performance rechargeable Zn-air batteries},
	journal = {Small},
	volume = {21},
	year = {2025},
	month = {SEP},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	Defect-rich CoFe-alloy with engineered carbon support is synthesized as a bifunctional cathode, coupled with a modified electrode fabrication technique, for rechargeable zinc-air batteries (RZABs). The CoFe(2:1)/N-rGCNT-catalyst is synthesized by annealing graphene oxide (GO), cobalt and iron acetate, and melamine, leading to the in situ formation of CoFe alloy-encapsulated CNTs. This resulted in a unique layer-separated Fe-rich skin@CoFe alloy decorated nitrogen-doped graphene (NGr) with CoFe-encapsulated CNTs. The interplay of line defects, enhanced conductivity, and electronic modulation underpins electrocatalyst{\textquoteright}s performance. Electrochemical analysis revealed an onset potential of 955 mV vs RHE, a half-wave potential of 835 mV vs RHE for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and an overpotential of 340 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), yielding a Delta E of 0.73 V, comparable to the reported catalysts. The 3D X-ray microtomography simulations suggest improved air permeability of CoFe(2:1)/N-rGCNT facilitates easier gas diffusion, contributing in better device performance. The RZAB with CoFe(2:1)/N-rGCNT-cathode exhibited a peak power density of 171.3 mW cm(-)2, surpassing 140.8 mW cm(-)2 obtained from a cell based on Pt/C-cathode. The Co/N-rGCNT-based battery achieved a stable discharge profile at 10 mA cm(-)2 with a specific capacity of 650 mAh g(-)(1)Zn, and in rechargeable mode, achieved 140 h of high-rate charge-discharge cycling capability.</p>
},
	keywords = {3D tomography, <italic>N</italic>-doping, alloy encapsulated structure, device demonstration, grain boundaries, oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, rechargeable zinc-air battery},
	issn = {1613-6810},
	doi = {10.1002/smll.202505342},
	author = {Kharabe, Geeta Pandurang and Barik, Sidharth and Torris, Arun and Maria, Anit and Kumar, Yogesh and Kurungot, Sreekumar}
}
