Engineering an iron atom-cluster nanostructure towards efficient and durable electrocatalysis

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Vol. 11; no. 15; pp. 822 - 8212
• Main Authors: Zheng, Feng-Yi, Li, Ruisong, Xi, Shibo, Ai, Fei, Wang, Jike
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 11.04.2023
• Subjects: Atomic clusters; Catalysts; Chemical reduction; Energy storage; Iron; Metal air batteries; Oxygen reduction reactions; Specific capacity; Synergistic effect; Zinc-oxygen batteries
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/d3ta00232b

Iron-based catalysts have demonstrated fascinating activities in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), especially due to the synergistic effect between atoms and clusters, but challenging for further improvement. Herein, a strategy is developed to optimize the catalyst with nitrogen-coordinated Fe single atoms (SAs) and closely surrounding Fe atomic clusters (ACs) towards efficient ORR. The Fe SA /Fe AC -NC 900 delivers excellent ORR activity with half-wave potential ( E 1/2 ) in both acidic (0.80 V) and alkaline (0.90 V) media, as well as superior stability. Theoretical calculations further reveal that the synergistic effects of Fe-based SAs and ACs along with porous structures can decrease the overall energy barrier in the ORR process. Besides, the Fe SA /Fe AC -NC 900-based zinc-air battery manifests a high peak power density (214.3 mW cm −2 ) and a high-specific capacity (773.6 mA h g −1 ). This work provides a new perspective to highly optimize the synergistic interaction of SAs and ACs for boosting activity and energy storage. The synergistic effect of Fe-based single-atoms and clusters in porous structures has significantly boosted the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, selectivity, and stability, as well as the application in energy storage.