Conductive Lanthanum Ion-Implanted Zeolite-Supported Amorphous Metal–Organic Frameworks for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Developing efficient and cost-effective non-precious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical to enabling the widespread implementation of metal-air batteries. Amorphous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) possess the advantages of abundant active sites and tunable electronic structures; however, they face challenges in regulating the chemical environment of metal sites and insufficient stability. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed for the in situ growth of iron-cobalt amorphous MOFs on lanthanum-modified analcime (La Anl). Introducing La into the Anl framework induces framework polarization, increasing the electrical conductivity of Anl by four orders of magnitude. The La Anl framework stabilizes amorphous MOFs, ensures uniform active sites, and boosts conductivity through La atoms incorporation. Moreover, it regulates the iron chemical environment, leading to the partial reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺, which enhances ORR activity by promoting oxygen molecule activation and stabilizing the four-electron transfer pathway. Therefore, the prepared FeCoMOFs@La Anl electrocatalyst exhibits excellent ORR activity and durability. The assembled zinc-air battery stably discharges for more than 120 h at 10 mA cm⁻². This work demonstrates a new approach to designing ORR catalysts by leveraging the unique properties of zeolites and amorphous MOFs, providing new insights into the development of next-generation energy storage systems.