Engineering an Ultrahigh-Surface-Area Diatomic Catalyst via Two-Dimensional-Templated Vapor-Deposition for Advanced...

The widespread adoption of rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) is hindered by the slow kinetics of the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction. We report a high-performance diatomic catalyst comprising atomically dispersed Fe-Cu pairs on nitrogen-doped carbon (FeCu/NC), synthesized via a two-dimensional-templated vapor-deposition approach. The resulting material possesses a specific surface area of 1800 m² g^-1-among the highest reported for atomic catalysts-which facilitates efficient mass transport. In alkaline media, FeCu/NC exhibits exceptional ORR activity, featuring a half-wave potential of 0.912 V, exceeding the performance of the single-atom analogues and commercial Pt/C. This enhancement stems from the heteronuclear electronic coupling, wherein the adjacent Cu atom modulates the Fe d-band center, thereby reducing the activation barrier for rate-limiting O-O bond cleavage. Employed on an air-cathode, FeCu/NC endows a ZAB with high power density and prolonged cycling stability. Collectively, this study highlights a fundamental breakthrough: the integration of tailored heteronuclear active sites within a high-surface-area architecture offers a powerful catalyst design route for advanced energy conversion.