Citation

BibTex format

@article{Gong:2023:10.1021/acscatal.3c00356,
author = {Gong, M and Mehmood, A and Ali, B and Nam, K-W and Kucernak, A},
doi = {10.1021/acscatal.3c00356},
journal = {ACS Catalysis},
pages = {6661--6674},
title = {Oxygen reduction reaction activity in non-precious single-atom (M–N/C ) catalysts-contribution of metal and carbon/nitrogen framework-based sites.},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.3c00356},
volume = {13},
year = {2023}
}

RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB - We examine the performance of a number of single-atom M-N/C electrocatalysts with a common structure in order to deconvolute the activity of the framework N/C support from the metal M-N4 sites in M-N/Cs. The formation of the N/C framework with coordinating nitrogen sites is performed using zinc as a templating agent. After the formation of the electrically conducting carbon-nitrogen metal-coordinating network, we (trans)metalate with different metals producing a range of different catalysts (Fe-N/C, Co-N/C, Ni-N/C, Sn-N/C, Sb-N/C, and Bi-N/C) without the formation of any metal particles. In these materials, the structure of the carbon/nitrogen framework remains unchanged-only the coordinated metal is substituted. We assess the performance of the subsequent catalysts in acid, near-neutral, and alkaline environments toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and ascribe and quantify the performance to a combination of metal site activity and activity of the carbon/nitrogen framework. The ORR activity of the carbon/nitrogen framework is about 1000-fold higher in alkaline than it is in acid, suggesting a change in mechanism. At 0.80 VRHE, only Fe and Co contribute ORR activity significantly beyond that provided by the carbon/nitrogen framework at all pH values studied. In acid and near-neutral pH values (pH 0.3 and 5.2, respectively), Fe shows a 30-fold improvement and Co shows a 5-fold improvement, whereas in alkaline pH (pH 13), both Fe and Co show a 7-fold improvement beyond the baseline framework activity. The site density of the single metal atom sites is estimated using the nitrite adsorption and stripping method. This method allows us to deconvolute the framework sites and metal-based active sites. The framework site density of catalysts is estimated as 7.8 × 1018 sites g-1. The metal M-N4 site densities in Fe-N/C and Co-N/C are 9.4 × 1018 sites-1 and 4.8 × 1018 sites g-1, respectively.
AU - Gong,M
AU - Mehmood,A
AU - Ali,B
AU - Nam,K-W
AU - Kucernak,A
DO - 10.1021/acscatal.3c00356
EP - 6674
PY - 2023///
SN - 2155-5435
SP - 6661
TI - Oxygen reduction reaction activity in non-precious single-atom (M–N/C ) catalysts-contribution of metal and carbon/nitrogen framework-based sites.
T2 - ACS Catalysis
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.3c00356
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37229434
UR - https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscatal.3c00356
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/104782
VL - 13
ER -

Contact Details

Prof. Anthony Kucernak

G22B
Molecular Sciences Research Hub (MSRH)
Imperial College London
White City Campus
London
W12 0BZ
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0)20 7594 5831
Fax: +44 (0)20 7594 5804
Email: anthony@imperial.ac.uk