Optimizing Electron Delocalization in Cobalt Clusters via <i>d‐d</i> Orbital Coupling for Efficient Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Abstract Cobalt atom cluster (Co AC )‐based electrocatalysts usually exhibit high activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), but display limited performance in oxygen evolution reaction (OER). To enhance their bifunctional catalytic efficiency, it is crucial to tailor the d ‐orbital electronic structure of Co AC through orbital coupling effect, optimizing the chemisorption of O‐intermediates. Herein, a 3 d ‐4 d orbital coupling strategy is used to construct a Co AC ‐molybdenum carbide/nanocarbon cake (Co AC ‐Mo x C/CC) catalyst with a hollow structure for ORR/OER in zinc‐air batteries (ZABs). Experimental and theoretical results confirm that the 4 d transition metal Mo, with fewer d electrons and more unfilled orbitals, interacts strongly with Co sites through d ‐ d coupling, promoting electron enrichment and triggering 3 d ‐orbital electron delocalization. This process accelerates the rate‐limiting steps of *OH desorption for ORR and *OOH formation for OER, leading to an ultra‐low potential gap of 0.604 V and improved stability. Notably, the Co AC ‐Mo x C/CC‐based liquid and flexible all‐solid‐state ZABs exhibit excellent performance with high open‐circuit voltages of 1.49 and 1.47 V, and power densities of 146.4 and 103.4 mW cm −2 , respectively, highlighting their potential to replace precious metal catalysts. This study may open new avenues for manipulating the electronic properties of Co AC ‐based electrocatalysts and boosting activity through the d ‐ d orbital coupling strategy.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-04-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202506077
Citations
13
Primary Topic
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.73

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article

Optimizing Electron Delocalization in Cobalt Clusters via d‐d Orbital Coupling for Efficient Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Xinyu Wang, Jinlong Zou, Ying Dai, Yanjie Chen et al.
13 citations
Advanced Functional Materials
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
4.73
article

Optimizing Electron Delocalization in Cobalt Clusters via d‐d Orbital Coupling for Efficient Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Xinyu Wang, Jinlong Zou, Ying Dai, Yanjie Chen, Mingyi Wang, Sichen Huo
article en
13 citations

Abstract

Abstract Cobalt atom cluster (Co AC )‐based electrocatalysts usually exhibit high activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), but display limited performance in oxygen evolution reaction (OER). To enhance their bifunctional catalytic efficiency, it is crucial to tailor the d ‐orbital electronic structure of Co AC through orbital coupling effect, optimizing the chemisorption of O‐intermediates. Herein, a 3 d ‐4 d orbital coupling strategy is used to construct a Co AC ‐molybdenum carbide/nanocarbon cake (Co AC ‐Mo x C/CC) catalyst with a hollow structure for ORR/OER in zinc‐air batteries (ZABs). Experimental and theoretical results confirm that the 4 d transition metal Mo, with fewer d electrons and more unfilled orbitals, interacts strongly with Co sites through d ‐ d coupling, promoting electron enrichment and triggering 3 d ‐orbital electron delocalization. This process accelerates the rate‐limiting steps of *OH desorption for ORR and *OOH formation for OER, leading to an ultra‐low potential gap of 0.604 V and improved stability. Notably, the Co AC ‐Mo x C/CC‐based liquid and flexible all‐solid‐state ZABs exhibit excellent performance with high open‐circuit voltages of 1.49 and 1.47 V, and power densities of 146.4 and 103.4 mW cm −2 , respectively, highlighting their potential to replace precious metal catalysts. This study may open new avenues for manipulating the electronic properties of Co AC ‐based electrocatalysts and boosting activity through the d ‐ d orbital coupling strategy.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 35(38)
Pennsylvania State University (US), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (CN), Heilongjiang Institute of Technology (CN), Heilongjiang University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
4.73
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