sp-Hybridized nitrogen doped graphdiyne for high-performance Zn–air batteries

Zn-air batteries have drawn extensive attention owning to high specific energy, light weight, convenient operation, and environmental friendliness. However, practical application remains a challenge due to unsatisfied performance and high-cost. Engineering highly efficient electrocatalysts, especially the metal-free ones, for Zn-air batteries is crucially important. Doping heteroatoms can access to more active sites by the modification of electron distribution, thus the rational design doping form and amount are effective approaches for performance enhancement. Herein, the unique sp-hybridized nitrogen atoms (sp-N) are site-defined doped into graphdiyne (GDY) with a higher amount and selectivity. The precisely constructed sp-N doped GDY displays superior electrocatalytic activity and durability, which makes it a distinctive air cathode for Zn-air batteries. Importantly, as the air cathode, sp-N doped GDY delivers outstanding performance and robust stability, affording a peak power density of 195.7 mW cm-2 as well as prominent stability, exceeding commercial Pt/C catalyst (180.3 mW cm-2). This work provides an extraordinary route for advancing metal-air cathode materials.