Asymmetrically coordinated single-atom Co-N₃S/C catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Optimizing single-atom catalysts (SACs) is crucial for advanced electrocatalysis.
• Controlling the coordination environment of metal centers in SACs presents a significant challenge.
• The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is vital for energy conversion devices like zinc-air batteries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel single-atom catalyst with tailored asymmetric coordination.
• To investigate the performance of the new catalyst in the oxygen reduction reaction.
• To evaluate its efficacy in a zinc-air battery system.

Main Methods:

• A coordinative compound impregnation strategy was employed for catalyst synthesis.
• The catalyst synthesized was a cobalt-nitrogen-sulfur single-atom catalyst supported on carbon (Co-N₃S/C).
• Electrochemical performance was tested, specifically focusing on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in a zinc-air battery.

Main Results:

• The synthesized Co-N₃S/C catalyst exhibited asymmetric coordination around the cobalt atoms.
• The catalyst demonstrated excellent performance for the oxygen reduction reaction.
• Superior performance was observed when the catalyst was utilized in a zinc-air battery.

Conclusions:

• A successful strategy for tailoring the coordination structure of single-atom catalysts was established.
• The Co-N₃S/C catalyst with asymmetric coordination shows great promise for electrocatalytic applications.
• This work highlights the potential of precisely controlling coordination environments for enhanced battery performance.