Controlled Synthesis of Fe-N-C Embedded 1D Carbon Nanotube/2D Graphene for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction in Metal-Air Batteries

doi:10.1007/s40242-025-5054-4

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 223-230.doi: 10.1007/s40242-025-5054-4

• Research Articles • Previous Articles Next Articles

Controlled Synthesis of Fe-N-C Embedded 1D Carbon Nanotube/2D Graphene for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction in Metal-Air Batteries

HE Jingzhi¹, XU Mengfan¹, ZHANG Zixuan¹, GUAN Jingqi², DUAN Limei¹, WANG Yin¹

1. Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Solid State Chemistry for Battery, Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Centre of Lithium-Sulfur Battery Energy Storage, Nano Innovation Institute (NII), College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, P. R. China;
2. Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P. R. China

Received:2025-04-03 Online:2026-02-01 Published:2026-01-28
Contact: DUAN Limei,E-mail:duanlm@imun.edu.cn;WANG Yin,E-mail:ywang@imun.edu.cn E-mail:duanlm@imun.edu.cn;ywang@imun.edu.cn
Supported by:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 22161036, 22361034), the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China (No. 2023LHMS02006), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China (Nos. GXKY22064, GXKY22047), the Program for Young Talents of Science and Technology in Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China (No. NJYT24023), the Program for Innovative Research Team in Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China (No. NMGIRT2417), and the Scientific and Technological Innovation Team of Inner Mongolia Minzu University, China.

Abstract

Abstract: The practical applications of high-performance metal-air batteries are limited by the slow dynamics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this work, we demonstrate a convenient method of onestep pyrolysis to synthesize a novel Fe-N-C embedded 1D carbon nanotube/2D graphene (Fe-NCNTs@Gr-N) as the electrocatalyst for enhanced ORR performances. The controlled stage temperature calcination method and ex-situ characterizations techniques were used to investigate the growth mechanism of 1D/2D hierarchical catalyst, with the results revealing that the formation of Fe₃C is the key to constructing 1D carbon nanotubes and 2D graphene during the pyrolysis process. Owing to the advantages of good electronic transfer capability and confinement microenvironment, Fe-NCNTs@Gr-N exhibits the outstanding ORR activity [onset potential of 1.04 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), half-wave potential of 0.82 V vs. RHE] and catalytic stability (over 20000 cycles CVs stable). For Fe-NCNTs@Gr-N based Zn-air, Al-air, and Mg-air batteries, they also achieve the exceptional performance, surpassing the Pt/C based cells. This work paves the way for the rational design of transition metal-based electrocatalysts for highly efficient, stable ORR processes and has significant implications for the development of next-generation metal-air batteries.

Key words: Controlled synthesis, Fe-N-C, Carbon nanotube, Oxygen reduction reaction, Metal-air battery

HE Jingzhi, XU Mengfan, ZHANG Zixuan, GUAN Jingqi, DUAN Limei, WANG Yin. Controlled Synthesis of Fe-N-C Embedded 1D Carbon Nanotube/2D Graphene for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction in Metal-Air Batteries[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(1): 223-230.

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Controlled Synthesis of Fe-N-C Embedded 1D Carbon Nanotube/2D Graphene for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction in Metal-Air Batteries

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