Amide-functionalized carbon supports for cobalt oxide toward oxygen reduction reaction in Zn-air battery.

Highlights: [•] The amide-groups are grafted over carbon surface via a simple solvothermal route. [•] Cobalt oxides of 2nm uniformly supporting on the carbon blacks were synthesized. [•] CoO x /XC N shows superior ORR activity than CoO x /XC and CoO x /XC O. [•] The enhanced ORR activity is contributed to the higher content of CoO in composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]