Potato-derived N-doped carbon nanoparticles incorporated with FeCo species as efficiently bifunctional electrocatalyst towards oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

•Bifunctional catalyst was fabricated by compositing N-doped carbon with FeCo species.•Biomass potato was utilized as sustainable material.•OER performance was positively regulated by Co(OH)2.•The catalyst exhibits satisfactory activity to ORR and OER. An N-doped carbon-based bifunctional catalyst (Po-FeCo-N-C) is prepared. Biomass potato is utilized a sustainable material and the OER performance of the catalyst is positively regulated. Potato is carbonized to N-doped carbon nanoparticles with the facilitation of carbon black to anchor more nitrogen, generating pyridinic N and graphitic N dominated ORR active sites. The Po-FeCo-N-C with 3:1 of Fe/Co ratio exhibits 0.830 V of ORR half wave potential and 5.19 mA cm−2 of current density in 0.1 M KOH. Meanwhile, 85 mV of improvement on OER potential is achieved with regulation of Co(OH)2, demonstrating the remarkably bifunctional catalytic activity. The rechargeable zinc-air battery of Po-FeCo-N-C outputs higher open circuit voltage, and delivers higher specific capacities, larger power densities and excellent cyclic durability. This work provides a feasible method for the preparation of nonprecious metal-based bifunctional catalyst to ORR and OER from sustainable biomass material with low cost and wide resources.