Highly efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of urea on a Mn-incorporated Ni(OH)2/carbon fiber cloth for energy-saving rechargeable Zn-air batteries

Abstract

A Mn-incorporated Ni(OH)2/carbon fiber cloth (Mn-Ni(OH)2/CFC) fabricated via a room-temperature solution route exhibited superior electrocatalytic activities of the oxygen reduction and urea oxidation reactions, delivering 12–21% energy saving in the charging process of Mn-Ni(OH)2/CFC assembled Zn–air batteries in the presence of 0.5 M urea compared to the battery without urea.