Secondary-Atom-Doping Enables Robust Fe–N–C Single-Atom Catalysts with Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction

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Abstract

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) with nitrogen-coordinated nonprecious metal sites have exhibited inimitable advantages in electrocatalysis. However, a large room for improving their activity and durability remains. Herein, we construct atomically dispersed Fe sites in N-doped carbon supports by secondary-atom-doped strategy. Upon the secondary doping, the density and coordination environment of active sites can be efficiently tuned, enabling the simultaneous improvement in the number and reactivity of the active site. Besides, structure optimizations in terms of the enlarged surface area and improved hydrophilicity can be achieved simultaneously. Due to the beneficial microstructure and abundant highly active FeN ₅ moieties resulting from the secondary doping, the resultant catalyst exhibits an admirable half-wave potential of 0.81 V versus 0.83 V for Pt/C and much better stability than Pt/C in acidic media. This work would offer a general strategy for the design and preparation of highly active SACs for electrochemical energy devices.

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A metal-free bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions.

Jintao Zhang, Zhenghang Zhao, Zhenhai Xia … (2015)

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are traditionally carried out with noble metals (such as Pt) and metal oxides (such as RuO₂ and MnO₂) as catalysts, respectively. However, these metal-based catalysts often suffer from multiple disadvantages, including high cost, low selectivity, poor stability and detrimental environmental effects. Here, we describe a mesoporous carbon foam co-doped with nitrogen and phosphorus that has a large surface area of ∼1,663 m(2) g(-1) and good electrocatalytic properties for both ORR and OER. This material was fabricated using a scalable, one-step process involving the pyrolysis of a polyaniline aerogel synthesized in the presence of phytic acid. We then tested the suitability of this N,P-doped carbon foam as an air electrode for primary and rechargeable Zn-air batteries. Primary batteries demonstrated an open-circuit potential of 1.48 V, a specific capacity of 735 mAh gZn(-1) (corresponding to an energy density of 835 Wh kgZn(-1)), a peak power density of 55 mW cm(-2), and stable operation for 240 h after mechanical recharging. Two-electrode rechargeable batteries could be cycled stably for 180 cycles at 2 mA cm(-2). We also examine the activity of our carbon foam for both OER and ORR independently, in a three-electrode configuration, and discuss ways in which the Zn-air battery can be further improved. Finally, our density functional theory calculations reveal that the N,P co-doping and graphene edge effects are essential for the bifunctional electrocatalytic activity of our material.

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Single-Atom Electrocatalysts.

Chengzhou Zhu, Shaofang Fu, Qiurong Shi … (2017)

Recent years have witnessed the increasing production of the sustainable and renewable energy. The limitations of electrochemical performances are closely associated with the search for highly efficient electrocatalysts with more rational control of size, shape, composition and structure. Specifically, the rapidly emerging studies on single-atom catalysts (SACs) have sparked new interests in electrocatalysis because of the unique properties such as high catalytic activity, selectivity and 100% atom utilization. In this review, we introduce the innovative synthesis and advanced characterizations of SACs and primarily focus on their electrochemical applications in oxygen reduction/evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, hydrocarbon conversion reactions for fuel cells (methanol, ethanol and formic acid electrooxidation) and other related fields. Significantly, this unique single atom-depended electrocatalytic performance together with the underlying mechanism will also be discussed. Furthermore, future research directions and challenges are proposed to further realize the ultimate goal of tailoring single-atoms for electrochemical applications.