Reconstruction of spinel Co3O4 by inert Zn2+ towards enhanced oxygen catalytic activity

ZnxCo3-xO4 (0 <= x <= 1) coupled with nitrogen-doped hollow porous carbon spheres exhibits a superior oxygen catalytic activity. A Zn-air battery using Zn0.6Co2.4O4/NHCS as a cathodic catalyst affords a high-power density (130 mW cm(-2)) and excellent stability. The effect of reconstruction of catalytically active Co ions induced by Zn is well-investigated.