Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 14, 2025
Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
High-Density Atomically Dispersed Copper Sites with Close Distances on Ultrathin N-Doped Carbon Nanosheets as an
Mengfan Bi1,2, Yongsheng Yao3, Jian Kang1
1Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Center for Environmental and Energy Nanomaterials, Anhui Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Institute of Solid State Physics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China.
Abstract:
Atomically dispersed, non-noble-metal catalysts represent promising alternatives to costly platinum-group electrocatalysts, yet precise control over metal site proximity remains challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis of ultrathin (∼1.5 nm) N-doped carbon nanosheets decorated with densely packed single-atom copper sites (Cu SAs/N-CS), achieved via controlled pyrolysis of a Cu-1H-1,2,4-triazole complex precursor. The resulting Cu SAs/N-CS exhibits a high copper loading (3.17 wt %) with a remarkably short average interatomic distance (∼3.1 Å) between adjacent Cu atoms. Inspired by multicopper oxidase enzymes, these closely spaced Cu active sites facilitate efficient four-electron (4e-) oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs), displaying superior catalytic performance and long-term stability in both neutral and alkaline media. Specifically, Cu SAs/N-CS achieves impressive half-wave potentials of 0.68 V (neutral) and 0.91 V (alkaline) vs RHE, rivaling commercial Pt/C under neutral conditions and outperforming it in alkaline electrolytes. Density functional theory (DFT) analyses indicate that short-range Cu site proximity upshifts the d-band center, strengthens O2 adsorption, and significantly lowers the activation barrier for the 4e- ORR pathway, thus elucidating the mechanism behind its exceptional catalytic activity.
