Inhibiting demetalation of ZnNC via bimetallic CoZn alloy for an efficient and durable oxygen reduction reaction.

Inhibition of demetalation due to electrochemical dissolution of metal active centers is a major challenge for the real-world commercialization of transition metals and nitrogen co-doped carbon (MNC) material catalysts. This research utilized a microchannel reactor to synthesize zeolitic imidazolate framework-8@zeolitic imidazolate framework-67, resulting in a CoZn/ZnNC material produced through a core-shell pyrolysis strategy. Direct synergistic interaction of CoZn alloy nanoparticles and ZnNC improves the activity and durability of the oxygen reduction reaction. In proton-exchange membrane fuel cell tests, the CoZn/ZnNC achieved a peak power density of 380.1 mW/cm. Furthermore, it demonstrated excellent stability in Zn-air battery charge/discharge cycles, lasting up to 480 h. Experimental tests and density functional theory calculations confirmed the presence of strong interactions between the CoZn alloy and ZnNC, which could inhibit demetalation by strengthening the ZnN bond. Furthermore, a moderate rise in the d-band center optimized the adsorption and desorption capacities of oxygen-containing intermediates (*O, *OH, and *OOH). Overall, this research presents a new strategy based on interactions between alloy nanoparticles and single atoms.