Developing high-performance and low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is still a great challenge for Al-air batteries. Herein, CeO2, a unique ORR promoter, was incorporated into ketjenblack (KB) supported Co3O4 catalyst. We developed a facile two-step hydrothermal approach to fabricate Co3O4-CeO2/KB as a high-performance ORR catalyst for Al-air batteries. The ORR activity of Co3O4/KB was significantly increased by mixing with CeO2 nanoparticles. In addition, the Co3O4-CeO2/KB showed a better electrocatalytic performance and stability than 20 wt % Pt/C in alkaline electrolytes, making it a good candidate for highly active ORR catalysts. Co3O4-CeO2/KB favored a four-electron pathway in ORR due to the synergistic interactions between CeO2 and Co3O4. In full cell tests, the Co3O4-CeO2/KB exhibited a higher discharge voltage plateau than CeO2/KB and Co3O4/KB when used in cathode in Al-air batteries.
Keywords: Al−air batteries; Co3O4−CeO2/C; adsorption of oxygen; hydrothermal; oxygen reduction reaction; synergistic effects.