Controllable construction of CoP nanoparticles anchored on a nitrogen-doped porous carbon as an electrocatalyst for highly efficient oxygen reduction in Zn-air batteries

• CoP nanoparticles anchored on nitrogen-doped porous carbon (CoP@NC) were synthesized via phosphating, retaining the dodecahedral structure of Co NPs. • The CoP@NC electrocatalyst exhibits remarkable ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.92 V in alkaline media, outperforming many non-precious catalysts. • Zn-air batteries using CoP@NC cathode achieve a high open-circuit voltage of 1.51 V and power density of 210.1 mW cm−2, demonstrating practical viability. • The synergistic coupling between well-dispersed CoP nanoparticles and the porous nitrogen-doped carbon framework enhances catalytic performance and mass transport.