Atomically dispersed Co–Cu dual active sites in carbon networks as an efficient oxygen electrocatalyst

Single-atom metal-based electrocatalysts offer extended advantages by maximizing the utilization of active sites but often suffer from complex synthesis processes and low-density metal loading. The present work showcases a strategic design for integrating highly dense cobalt-copper dual atoms dispersed on a nitrogen-rich porous carbon network (CoCu-NGC). The atomically dispersed CoCu-NGC outperforms the ORR and OER activities of their single metallic counterparts (Co-NGC or Cu-NGC) and conventional noble-metal based electrocatalysts (Pt/C and RuO₂). Benefitting from the electronic modulation in the dual SAC system, the CoCu-NGC displayed outstanding bifunctional performance with low Δ<i>E</i> values of 0.69 V in freshwater and 0.78 V in seawater, highlighting it as a potential alternative to the costly state-of-art electrocatalysts.