Enhanced oxygen reduction reaction performance in boron carbon nitride through P doping for zinc-air batteries

Carbon-based metal-free materials have garnered significant attention as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Among these materials, boron carbon nitride (BCN) has emerged as a promising functional material owing to its exceptional electrochemical stability, superior corrosion resistance, and high specific surface area. However, BCN’s catalytic activity remains suboptimal, possibly due to its weak binding with *OOH. In this study, phosphorus-doped BCN (P-BCN) was synthesized using a one-step calcination approach and employed as an efficient ORR catalyst. P-BCN exhibits a half-wave potential (E_1/2) of 0.823 V, which is significantly higher than BCN’s 0.764 V, indicating enhanced ORR activity. Furthermore, after 5000 cycles of accelerated durability testing, P-BCN’s E_1/2 decreases by only 3 mV, demonstrating its robust ORR stability. Both experimental data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that P-BCN’s remarkable electrochemical performance results from its enhanced *OOH binding, increased carrier concentration, and accelerated charge transfer rate. Additionally, in a zinc-air battery (ZAB), P-BCN delivers an open-circuit voltage of 1.42 V, a peak power density of 155 mW/cm², and a specific capacity of 605 mAh/g, demonstrating practical potential. The novel strategy proposed in this study offers a valuable reference for the broader application of carbon-based metal-free ORR catalysts.