Synergistic Dual-Atom Molecular Catalyst Derived from Low-Temperature Pyrolyzed Heterobimetallic Macrocycle-N4 Corrole Complex for Oxygen Reduction
Journal
Small
Journal Volume
17
Journal Issue
46
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
A heterobimetallic corrole complex, comprising oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) active non-precious metals Co and Fe with a corrole-N4 center (PhFCC), is successfully synthesized and used to prepare a dual-atom molecular catalyst (DAMC) through subsequent low-temperature pyrolysis. This low-temperature pyrolyzed electrocatalyst exhibited impressive ORR performance, with onset potentials of 0.86 and 0.94 V, and half-wave potentials of 0.75 and 0.85 V, under acidic and basic conditions, respectively. During potential cycling, this DAMC displayed half-wave potential losses of only 25 and 5 mV under acidic and alkaline conditions after 3000 cycles, respectively, demonstrating its excellent stability. Single-cell Nafion-based proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance using this DAMC as the cathode catalyst showed a maximum power density of 225 mW cm−2, almost close to that of most metal–N4 macrocycle-based catalysts. The present study showed that preservation of the defined CoN4 structure along with the cocatalytic Fe–Cx site synergistically acted as a dual ORR active center to boost overall ORR performance. The development of DAMC from a heterobimetallic CoN4-macrocyclic system using low-temperature pyrolysis is also advantageous for practical applications. © 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Subjects
corroles; dual-atom molecular catalyst; fuel cells; metal–N4 macrocycles; non-precious electrocatalysts; oxygen reduction reaction
SDGs
Other Subjects
Alkalinity; Atoms; Electrocatalysts; Electrolytic reduction; Molecular oxygen; Polypyrroles; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC); Pyrolysis; Corroles; Dual-atom molecular catalyst; Heterobimetallics; Low-temperature pyrolysis; Lows-temperatures; Macrocycles; Metal–n4 macrocycle; Molecular catalysts; Non-precious electrocatalyst; Oxygen reduction reaction; Temperature
Type
journal article