Biomass-derived single atom catalysts with phosphorus-coordinated Fe-N3P configuration for efficient oxygen reduction reaction

Exploiting non-precious metal catalysts with excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance for energy devices is paramount essential for the green and sustainable society development. Herein, low-cost, high-performance biomass-derived ORR catalysts with an asymmetric Fe-N 3 P configuration was prepared by a simple pyrolysis-etching technique, where carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was used as the carbon source, urea and 1,10-phenanthroline iron complex (FePhen) as additives, and Na 3 PO 4 as the phosphorus dopant and a pore-forming agent. The CMC-derived FeNPC catalyst displayed a large specific area (BET: 1235 m 2 g −1 ) with atomically dispersed Fe-N 3 P active sites, which exhibited superior ORR activity and stability in alkaline solution ( E 1/2 = 0.90 V vs. RHE) and Zn-air batteries ( P max = 149 mW cm −2 ) to commercial Pt/C catalyst ( E 1/2 = 0.87 V, P max = 118 mW cm −2 ) under similar experimental conditions. This work provides a feasible and cost-effective route toward highly efficient ORR catalysts and their application to Zn-air batteries for energy conversion. A facile and cost-effective method for the preparation of a biomass carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) derived electrocatalyst FeNPC with N, P-coordinated Fe-N 3 P configuration for efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was demonstrated; FeNPC displayed superior performance to commercial Pt/C catalyst in Zinc-air batteries. • A biomass CMC-derived single atom catalyst FeNPC was prepared. • FeNPC with Fe-N 3 P configuration shows efficient activity for oxygen reduction reaction. • FeNPC exhibits superior performance to commercial Pt/C in Zn-air batteries. • It offers a renewable and eco-friendly alternative catalyst for energy conversion.