Electrodeposited Co-Fe as an oxygen evolution catalyst for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

•Co-Fe was directly electrodeposited on carbon paper as the OER catalyst for the air electrode in a zinc-air battery.•Electrodeposited Co-Fe adheres to the graphite substrate to provide high electronic conductivity for the OER.•Co-Fe demonstrates OER activity and durability, which are comparable with commercial Pt-Ru catalysts.•Co-Fe shows stable cycling stability and comparable efficiency to Pt-Ru when used in a zinc-air battery.

Cobalt-iron (Co-Fe) nanocubes were directly electrodeposited onto carbon paper and utilized as efficient oxygen evolution reaction catalysts for rechargeable zinc-air batteries. The morphology and mass loading were directly controlled by adjusting deposition time and the deposits evolved from single crystal nanocubes into a continuous film. Co-Fe catalysts exhibited low overpotential, small Tafel slopes and high durability during testing. A zinc-air battery using Co-Fe showed the same cycling efficiency as one using commercial Pt/Ru catalysts.