Electron Localization in Single Atomic Ga1/PdNi Metallene Boosts Ethylene Glycol Assisted Rechargeable Zn‐Air Battery via Accelerating *OH Adsorption

Why It Matters

By overcoming CO‑adsorption and low oxidation efficiency, the catalyst unlocks higher power and longer life for Zn‑air batteries, a key technology for grid‑scale storage and electric mobility.

Key Takeaways

• Ga1/PdNi delivers 1.70 A/mg mass activity.
• 4.86× higher activity than commercial Pd/C.
• Power density reaches 160.3 mW/cm², 2.59× Pd/C.
• Operates 500 h at 10 mA/cm² with minimal loss.
• Oxyphilic Ga promotes *OH, reduces CO poisoning.

Pulse Analysis

Alcohol‑assisted Zn‑air batteries have attracted attention for their theoretical energy density, yet practical deployment stalls due to sluggish ethylene glycol oxidation and CO‑adsorption poisoning. Traditional Pd‑based catalysts provide limited active sites, leading to incomplete oxidation pathways and rapid performance decay. Integrating a single‑atom gallium species into a PdNi metallene matrix reshapes the electronic landscape, creating an unconventional *p‑d* hybridization that favors *OH generation, a critical intermediate for breaking C‑C bonds in ethylene glycol.

The Ga1/PdNi catalyst leverages electron localization at the Ga sites to accelerate *OH adsorption, which in turn facilitates rapid ethylene glycol oxidation and suppresses CO intermediates. Advanced spectroscopy and density‑functional theory confirm that the oxyphilic Ga atoms act as *OH anchors, lowering the activation barrier for C‑C cleavage. This mechanistic advantage translates into a mass activity of 1.70 A/mg—almost fivefold higher than commercial Pd/C—and a power output of 160.3 mW/cm², positioning the material as a leading contender for high‑performance Zn‑air systems.

From a commercial perspective, the catalyst’s durability—500 hours of continuous operation at 10 mA/cm² with negligible loss—addresses one of the most pressing reliability concerns for large‑scale energy storage. The ability to sustain high current densities without degradation opens pathways for integrating Zn‑air batteries into renewable micro‑grids and electric vehicle powertrains. As the industry seeks cost‑effective, long‑life alternatives to lithium‑ion technology, single‑atom alloy designs like Ga1/PdNi could redefine catalyst engineering standards and accelerate market adoption of next‑generation rechargeable Zn‑air batteries.