Tuning Proton Affinity on Co−N−C Atomic Interface to Disentangle Activity‐Selectivity Trade‐off in Acidic Oxygen Reduction to H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>

In oxygen reduction reaction to H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> via two-electron pathway (2e<sup>-</sup> ORR), adsorption strength of oxygen-containing intermediates determines both catalytic activity and selectivity. However, it also causes activity-selectivity trade-off. Herein, we propose a novel strategy through modulating the interaction between protons and *OOH intermediates to break the activity-selectivity trade-off for highly active and selective 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR. Taking the typical cobalt-nitrogen-carbon single-atom catalyst as an example, boron heteroatoms doped into second coordination sphere of CoN<sub>4</sub> (Co<sub>1</sub>-NBC) increase proton affinity on catalyst surface, facilitating proton attack on the former oxygen of *OOH and thereby promoting H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> formation. As a result, Co<sub>1</sub>-NBC simultaneously achieves prominent 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR activity and selectivity in acid with onset potential of 0.724 V vs. RHE and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> selectivity of 94 %, surpassing most reported catalysts. Furthermore, Co<sub>1</sub>-NBC exhibits a remarkable H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> productivity of 202.7 mg cm<sup>-2</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> and a remarkable stability of 60 h at 200 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> in flow cell. This work provides new insights into resolving activity-selectivity trade-off in electrocatalysis.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Published
2024-11-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202418713
Citations
34
Primary Topic
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
3.48

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article

Tuning Proton Affinity on Co−N−C Atomic Interface to Disentangle Activity‐Selectivity Trade‐off in Acidic Oxygen Reduction to H2O2

You‐Nian Liu, Chao Ma, Cheng‐Wei Kao, Tao Luo et al.
34 citations
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
3.48
article

Tuning Proton Affinity on Co−N−C Atomic Interface to Disentangle Activity‐Selectivity Trade‐off in Acidic Oxygen Reduction to H2O2

You‐Nian Liu, Chao Ma, Cheng‐Wei Kao, Tao Luo, Shanyong Chen, Min Liu, Xiaoqing Li, Ting‐Shan Chan, Jiaqi Xiang, Jiarui Wang
article en
34 citations

Abstract

In oxygen reduction reaction to H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> via two-electron pathway (2e<sup>-</sup> ORR), adsorption strength of oxygen-containing intermediates determines both catalytic activity and selectivity. However, it also causes activity-selectivity trade-off. Herein, we propose a novel strategy through modulating the interaction between protons and *OOH intermediates to break the activity-selectivity trade-off for highly active and selective 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR. Taking the typical cobalt-nitrogen-carbon single-atom catalyst as an example, boron heteroatoms doped into second coordination sphere of CoN<sub>4</sub> (Co<sub>1</sub>-NBC) increase proton affinity on catalyst surface, facilitating proton attack on the former oxygen of *OOH and thereby promoting H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> formation. As a result, Co<sub>1</sub>-NBC simultaneously achieves prominent 2e<sup>-</sup> ORR activity and selectivity in acid with onset potential of 0.724 V vs. RHE and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> selectivity of 94 %, surpassing most reported catalysts. Furthermore, Co<sub>1</sub>-NBC exhibits a remarkable H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> productivity of 202.7 mg cm<sup>-2</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> and a remarkable stability of 60 h at 200 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> in flow cell. This work provides new insights into resolving activity-selectivity trade-off in electrocatalysis.

Angewandte Chemie International EditionVol. 64(6)
Central South University (CN), Jinan University (CN), Hunan University (CN), National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (TW), State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
3.48
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