Fullerene as a Probe Molecule for Single-Atom Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts

Abstract

Fullerenes interact positively with many metal-based catalysts via intense electron transfer. Yet, we here reveal that C60 serves as a probe due to its deactivation of the active sites of single-atom O2 reduction electrocatalysts. C60 adsorption to metal atoms creates steric hindrance that restricts O2 access to the active sites.