Fluorination of Fe, Sn, N atoms doped carbon enables the balance of activity and stability for oxygen reduction.

The development of highly active and durable carbon-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of critical importance. In this study, a heteroatom-doped carbon catalyst (FeSn-NFC) was synthesized through the chelation of Fe and dopamine hydrochloride, followed by Sn/F co-doping and carbonization. The resulting FeSn-NFC catalyst exhibits an ultrahigh specific surface area of 2387.9 m g, with micropores accounting for 79 % of its structure. The incorporation of Sn enhances the pyridinic nitrogen content and facilitates the elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Electrochemical evaluations reveal exceptional ORR performance, with a half-wave potential (E) of 0.857 V and a minimal degradation (ΔE = 11 mV) after accelerated aging tests. When integrated into a zinc-air battery, the FeSn-NFC catalyst delivers a peak power density of 217 mW cm and an energy density of 880 Wh kg (Zn), maintaining 93.2 % of its initial energy density after ∼115 h of continuous operation. This work offers a novel strategy for fabricating efficient, stable, and cost-effective ORR electrocatalysts, advancing the field of energy conversion technologies.