Issue 30, 2023

Heteroatom sulfur-doping in single-atom Fe-NC catalysts for durable oxygen reduction reaction in both alkaline and acidic media

Abstract

The need for highly efficient and economical Pt-free oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts has led to the rapid development of single-atom transition metals anchored on heteroatom-doped carbon catalysts. However, their activity and stability remain below the requirements for practical applications. Herein, we propose a heteroatom (S)-doped hollow atomically dispersed Fe–N–C catalyst (H-S-Fe-NC) synthesized through a two-step thermal activation process. Compared with the un-doped Fe–N–C catalyst, the optimized H-S-Fe-NC catalysts display exceptional ORR activity and stability, achieving a high half-wave potential of 0.91 V in alkaline solution and 0.78 V in acidic solution, respectively. Combined experimental and theoretical results reveal the enhanced ORR activity of H-S-Fe-NC to be boosted by the introduction of S, which moderates the adsorption energy of the oxygen intermediates. Furthermore, we expand the application of the H-S-Fe-NC catalysts by using them in a zinc-air battery and proton-exchange membrane fuel cell.

Graphical abstract: Heteroatom sulfur-doping in single-atom Fe-NC catalysts for durable oxygen reduction reaction in both alkaline and acidic media

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 May 2023
Accepted
05 Jul 2023
First published
06 Jul 2023

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023,11, 16180-16189

Heteroatom sulfur-doping in single-atom Fe-NC catalysts for durable oxygen reduction reaction in both alkaline and acidic media

J. Yan, T. Gu, R. Shi, X. Chen, M. H. Rümmeli and R. Yang, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023, 11, 16180 DOI: 10.1039/D3TA02712K

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