The lack of adequate bifunctional catalysts for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the abstract and stated research gap of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2021 and 2026, spanning 6 journals. Those papers have been cited 510 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Reconstructing the Coordination Environment of Fe/Co Dual‐atom Sites towards Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalysis for Zn–Air Batteries (2024) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · cited 56× · doi

  Abstract Dual‐atom catalysts with nitrogen‐coordinated metal sites embedded in carbon can drive the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER) in rechargeable zinc–air batteries (ZABs), and the further improvement is limited by the linear scaling relationship of intermediate binding energies in the absorbate evolution mechanism (AEM).

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: evolution abstract dual atom catalysts nitrogen coordinated metal sites embedded carbon drive oxygen reduction reactions
• Sustainable zinc-air batteries: advances, challenges, and opportunities (2026) · Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering · doi

  The initial research on ZABs faced challenges due to poor chemical reactions on the zinc anode and slow oxygen reaction rates, - There is a need for innovative solutions to address the current challenges hindering the development of rechargeable Zn-air batteries.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: initial research zabs faced challenges due poor chemical
• Understanding the active site in chameleon-like bifunctional catalyst for practical rechargeable zinc-air batteries (2024) · Nature Communications · cited 84× · doi

  The lack of adequate bifunctional catalysts for rechargeable zinc-air batteries. The contradictory gas-liquid-solid three-phase interfaces in the air cathode. The limited understanding of the catalytic reaction thermodynamics and kinetics.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack adequate bifunctional catalysts rechargeable zinc-air batteries contradictory
• Pt 1 Co alloy nanoparticles confined in N-doped carbon nanotubes: An efficient oxygen reduction catalyst for long-lasting rechargeable Zn–air battery (2026) · Nano Research · doi

  The lack of efficient oxygen reduction catalysts for long-lasting rechargeable Zn–air batteries. The limitations of Pt-based catalysts in terms of adsorption of OOH* intermediates. The need for a catalyst that can facilitate the 4e- pathway with high efficiency.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack efficient oxygen reduction catalysts long-lasting rechargeable air
• Electronic Structure Engineering in NiFe Sulfide via A Third Metal Doping as Efficient Bifunctional OER/ORR Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zinc‐Air Battery (2024) · Advanced Functional Materials · cited 132× · doi

  The paper identifies the gap in the current research on bifunctional electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc-air batteries. The paper highlights the need for efficient oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: paper identifies gap current research bifunctional electrocatalysts rechargeable
• Tailored sp 2 ‐C─F Bonding for Reversible Oxygen‐Peroxide Electrocatalysis (2026) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · doi

  ABSTRACT Rechargeable zinc‐air batteries are fundamentally limited by the sluggishness of four‐electron (4e − ) oxygen electrocatalysis and by bifunctional catalysts that rarely combine high activity with long‐term durability, resulting in substantial polarization and poor reversibility.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: abstract rechargeable zinc batteries fundamentally limited sluggishness four electron oxygen electrocatalysis bifunctional catalysts rarely combine
• Ultrahigh‐Rate and Long‐Life Zinc–Metal Anodes Enabled by Self‐Accelerated Cation Migration (2021) · Advanced Energy Materials · cited 238× · doi

  Abstract Aqueous zinc ion batteries are receiving unprecedented attention owing to their markedly high safety and sustainability, yet their lifespan particularly at high rates is largely limited by the poor reversibility of zinc metal anodes, due to the random ion diffusion and sluggish ion replenishment at the reaction interface.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: zinc high abstract aqueous batteries receiving unprecedented attention owing markedly safety sustainability lifespan particularly rates
• Topological Defect‐Engineered Cu/N–C Catalysts for Zinc‐Air Battery With Ultra‐Stable Cycling Over 2000 h at High Current Densities (2026) · Advanced Energy Materials · doi

  ABSTRACT Developing zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) for high‐current‐density operation is critical for high‐power applications, yet remains limited by the lack of electrocatalysts that integrate high activity, durability, and low cost.

  generalabstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: high abstract developing zinc batteries zabs current density operation critical power applications remains limited lack

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