• CoNi@NCNT catalyst, synthesized via dual-template strategy, exhibits a half-wave potential of 0.83 V and excellent durability in alkaline media, outperforming many reported non-precious metal catalysts.
• The hierarchical tubular structure, high electronic conductivity, and abundant alloy-type active sites synergistically enhance ORR activity, demonstrating a promising alternative to Pt-based catalysts.
• When integrated into zinc-air batteries, the CoNi@NCNT catalyst delivers stable charge-discharge cycling performance, highlighting its practical applicability in energy storage devices.
• This work provides a novel approach for constructing alloy/nitrogen-doped carbonaceous bifunctional electrocatalysts, advancing the development of high-performance and cost-effective ZABs.