Three-dimensional Carbon-Based Electrocatalysts Templated from FAU and BEA Zeolites.

Resumo

Zeolite-templated nanocarbons (ZTNCs) are emerging as advanced materials for energy conversion and storage due to their tunable porosity, high conductivity, and surface functionality. In this study, carbon (C-ZTNC) and nitrogen-doped carbon (CN-ZTNC) materials were synthesized via chemical vapor deposition using ethylene and acetonitrile over FAU and BEA zeolites. CN-ZTNCs exhibited lower density and microporosity, attributed to graphene-like domains formed outside the zeolite template. C-ZTNCs demonstrated enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance, with a half-wave potential of 0.78 V vs. RHE, high selectivity toward OH⁻, and dominant four-electron transfer, making them suitable for application in aqueous rechargeable Zn–air batteries (ZABs). These nanostructured carbons serve as both lightweight gas diffusion electrodes and porous, conductive catalytic supports, offering promising bifunctional activity for ORR/OER processes. This work highlights the structural advantages and catalytic potential of ZTNCs tailored by zeolite type and precursor chemistry.