<scp> Fe <sub>3</sub> C </scp> Nanoclusters Regulated Charge Asymmetric Fe Dual Atomic Sites for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Performance

Comprehensive Summary Dual‐atom catalysts (DACs) show attractive prospects for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), yet face challenges in precise charge modulation that balances the activity and durability. Herein, we present a N,S‐coordinated Fe dual atomic catalyst modified by Fe 3 C nanoclusters (Fe 3 C/Fe 2 N x S) through pyrolyzing the mixtures of ZIF‐8‐encapsulated iron dimers and sulfur‐doped C 3 N 4 . Aberration‐corrected STEM and synchrotron X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) validated that the catalyst was composed of Fe dual atomic sites and Fe 3 C nanoclusters, in which Fe dual atoms were coordinated by five N atoms and one S atom. Fe 3 C/Fe 2 N x S exhibited excellent ORR activity in alkaline media, displaying a high half‐wave potential ( E 1/2 = 0.894 V vs . RHE) with near 4e – selectivity ( n = 3.92) and maintaining 86.8% retention after 20000 s, superior to commercial Pt/C. Impressively, the assembled zinc‐air battery delivered exceptional peak power density (163 mW·cm –2 ) and 200‐hour robust stability. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that electron transfer from Fe of Fe 2 N x S to neighboring Fe 3 C induced local charge asymmetry, shifting the d‐band center closer to Fermi level, thereby enhancing O 2 activation. Moreover, the OOH * formation energy barrier was reduced to 0.52 eV in Fe 3 C/Fe 2 N x S, accelerating ORR reaction kinetics. This work establishes nanocluster‐mediated electronic redistribution to tailor charge asymmetry for high‐performance electrocatalysts.

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Publication Details

Journal
Chinese Journal of Chemistry
Published
2025-08-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/cjoc.70221
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.09

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article

Fe 3 C Nanoclusters Regulated Charge Asymmetric Fe Dual Atomic Sites for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Performance

Chuanlan Xu, Jiaxin Li, Honglin Li, Ying Lei et al.
3 citations
Chinese Journal of Chemistry
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
1.09
article

Fe 3 C Nanoclusters Regulated Charge Asymmetric Fe Dual Atomic Sites for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Performance

Chuanlan Xu, Jiaxin Li, Honglin Li, Ying Lei, Yi Cheng
article en
3 citations

Abstract

Comprehensive Summary Dual‐atom catalysts (DACs) show attractive prospects for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), yet face challenges in precise charge modulation that balances the activity and durability. Herein, we present a N,S‐coordinated Fe dual atomic catalyst modified by Fe 3 C nanoclusters (Fe 3 C/Fe 2 N x S) through pyrolyzing the mixtures of ZIF‐8‐encapsulated iron dimers and sulfur‐doped C 3 N 4 . Aberration‐corrected STEM and synchrotron X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) validated that the catalyst was composed of Fe dual atomic sites and Fe 3 C nanoclusters, in which Fe dual atoms were coordinated by five N atoms and one S atom. Fe 3 C/Fe 2 N x S exhibited excellent ORR activity in alkaline media, displaying a high half‐wave potential ( E 1/2 = 0.894 V vs . RHE) with near 4e – selectivity ( n = 3.92) and maintaining 86.8% retention after 20000 s, superior to commercial Pt/C. Impressively, the assembled zinc‐air battery delivered exceptional peak power density (163 mW·cm –2 ) and 200‐hour robust stability. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that electron transfer from Fe of Fe 2 N x S to neighboring Fe 3 C induced local charge asymmetry, shifting the d‐band center closer to Fermi level, thereby enhancing O 2 activation. Moreover, the OOH * formation energy barrier was reduced to 0.52 eV in Fe 3 C/Fe 2 N x S, accelerating ORR reaction kinetics. This work establishes nanocluster‐mediated electronic redistribution to tailor charge asymmetry for high‐performance electrocatalysts.

Chinese Journal of ChemistryVol. 43(23)
Chongqing Normal University (CN), Sichuan University of Science and Engineering (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
1.09
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