One-dimensional polymer-derived ceramic nanowires with electrocatalytically active metallic silicide tips as cathode catalysts for Zn–air batteries

New metallic nickel/cobalt/iron silicide droplets at the tips of polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) nanowires have been identified as stable and efficient cathode catalysts for Zn–air batteries. The as-prepared catalyst having a unique one-dimensional (1D) PDC nanowire structure with the presence of metallic silicide tips of 1D-PDC plays a crucial role in facilitating oxygen reduction/evolution reaction kinetics. The Zn–air battery was designed using Ni/PDC, Co/PDC and Fe/PDC as air electrode catalysts. In electrochemical half-cell tests, it was observed that the catalysts have a good bifunctional electrocatalytic activity. The efficiency of the catalysts to function as a cathode catalyst in real-time primary and mechanically rechargeable Zn–air battery configurations was determined. The primary battery testing results revealed that Ni/PDC and Co/PDC exhibited a stable discharge voltage plateau up to 29 h. The Fe/PDC sample, on the other hand, performed up to 23 h with an operating potential of 1.20 V at the discharge current density of 5 mA cm(−2) after which the battery ceased to perform. The Ni/PDC, Co/PDC, and Fe/PDC cathode catalysts performed galvanostatic 1200 charge–discharge cycles in a mechanically rechargeable secondary Zn–air battery configuration. The results demonstrate that the Ni/PDC, Co/PDC, and Fe/PDC materials serve as excellent and durable bifunctional cathode electrocatalysts for Zn–air batteries.