Zn–H+ Battery, Versatile Energy Conversion Equipment for Electricity Generation and H2 Production Simultaneously

Zn–H + battery is a new energy conversion device, which can act as an electricity provider as well as an H 2 generator. In general, the activity of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst determines the performance of the Zn–H + battery to a great extent. In our attempt, an inexpensive and effective HER electrocatalyst was synthesized successfully. In this electrocatalyst, the Cu based coordination complex loads onto filter paper derived three-dimensional mesoporous carbon paper homogeneously. Compared with traditional powder electrocatalysts, the bulky appearance of this electrocatalyst makes it possible that it can be employed as a binder-free electrode directly. In the acidic electrolyte, it exhibits perfect electrocatalytic activity. The η 10 potential of this electrocatalyst is only 91 mV. This electrocatalyst also shows excellent durability after long time HER tests. With this electrocatalyst and Zn plate as cathode and anode, respectively, a Zn–H + battery was assembled. The open circuit voltage of this battery is 1.18 V. Its peak power density arrives at 65.6 mW·cm –2 . When discharged at 10 mA·cm –2, the voltage of this battery keeps stable for 10 h. In this process, the specific capacity and energy density of Zn–H + battery are 768 mAh·g –1 and 875 Wh·kg –1, respectively. At this current density, its H 2 production rate arrives at 578 μmol in 80 min, with a Faradaic efficiency 96.3%. This work opens a new research field for HER.