Three-dimensional self-supporting superstructured double-sided nanoneedles arrays of iron carbide nanoclusters embedded in manganese, nitrogen co-doped carbon for highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction

Research Progress on Atomically Dispersed Fe-N-C Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The efficiency and performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are primarily influenced by ORR electrocatalysts. In recent years, atomically dispersed metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts have gained significant attention due to their high active center density, high atomic utilization, and high activity. These catalysts are now considered the preferred alternative to traditional noble metal electrocatalysts. The unique properties of M-N-C catalysts are anticipated to enhance the energy conversion efficiency and lower the manufacturing cost of the entire system, thereby facilitating the commercialization and widespread application of fuel cell technology. This article initially delves into the origin of performance and degradation mechanisms of Fe-N-C catalysts from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. Building on this foundation, the focus shifts to strategies aimed at enhancing the activity and durability of atomically dispersed Fe-N-C catalysts. These strategies encompass the use of bimetallic atoms, atomic clusters, heteroatoms (B, S, and P), and morphology regulation to optimize catalytic active sites. This article concludes by detailing the current challenges and future prospects of atomically dispersed Fe-N-C catalysts.

Confined synthesis of ternary FeCoMn single-atom nanozyme in N-doped hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres for synergistic chemotherapy and chemodynamic cancer therapy

Recently, nanozymes show increasing biological applications and promising possibilities for therapeutic intervention, while their mediated therapeutic outcomes are severely compromised due to their insufficient catalytic activity and specificity. Herein, ternary FeCoMn single atoms were incorporated into N-doped hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres by in situ confinement pyrolysis at 800 °C as high-efficiency nanozyme. The confinement strategy endows the as-prepared nanozyme with the enhanced catalase- and oxidase-like activities. Specifically, the FeCoMn TSAs/N-HCSs nanozyme can decompose intracellular H2O2 to generate O2 and subsequently convert O2 to cytotoxic superoxide radicals (O2∙-), which can initiate cascade enzymatic reactions in tumor microenvironment (TME) for chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Moreover, the cancer therapy was largely enhanced by loading with doxorubicin (DOX). Impressively, the FeCoMn TSAs/N-HCSs nanozyme-mediated CDT and the DOX-induced chemotherapy endow the DOX@FeCoMn TSAs/N-HCSs with effective tumor inhibition, showing the superior therapeutic efficacy.

FeCo alloy entrapped in N-doped graphitic carbon nanotubes-on-nanosheets prepared by coordination-induced pyrolysis for oxygen reduction reaction and rechargeable Zn-air battery

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on cathode severely suffers from sluggish kinetics in zinc-air batteries. Therefore, substantial efforts have been made to prepare advanced electrocatalysts for facilitating the ORR. Herein, we synthesized FeCo alloyed nanocrystals entrapped in N-doped graphitic carbon nanotubes on nanosheets (FeCo-N-GCTSs) by 8-aminoquinoline coordination-induced pyrolysis, whose morphology, structures, and property were characterized in details. Impressively, the obtained FeCo-N-GCTSs catalyst showed a positive onset potential (E_onset = 1.06 V) and half-wave potential (E_1/2 = 0.88 V), revealing excellent ORR activity. Further, the FeCo-N-GCTSs assembled zinc-air battery displayed the maximum power density of 133 mW cm^-2 and negligible gap change in the discharge-charge voltage plot over 288 h (ca. 864 cycles) at 5 mA cm^-2, outperforming the Pt/C + RuO₂ based counterpart. This work provides a facile route for construction of high-efficiency, durable and low-cost nanocatalysts for the ORR in fuel cells and rechargeable Zn-air batteries.

Lignin-derived iron carbide/Mn, N, S-codoped carbon nanotubes as a high-efficiency catalyst for synergistically enhanced oxygen reduction reaction and rechargeable zinc-air battery

Design of efficient and durable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts still remains challenge in sustainable energy storage and conversion devices. To achieve sustainable development, it is of importance to prepare high-quality carbon-derived ORR catalysts from biomass. Herein, Fe₅C₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were facilely entrapped in Mn, N, S-codoped carbon nanotubes (Fe₅C₂/Mn, N, S-CNTs) by a one-step pyrolysis of the mixed lignin, metal precursors and dicyandiamide. The resulting Fe₅C₂/Mn, N, S-CNTs had open and tubular structures, which exhibited positive shifts in the onset potential (E_onset = 1.04 V) and high half-wave potential (E_1/2 = 0.85 V), showing excellent ORR characteristics. Further, the typical catalyst-assembled Zn-air battery showed a high power density (153.19 mW cm^-2) and good cycling performance as well as obvious cost advantage. The research provides some valuable insights for rational construction of low-cost and environmentally sustainable ORR catalysts in clean energy field, coupled by offering some valuable insights for reusing biomass wastes.

High-Activity Fe3 C as pH-Universal Electrocatalyst for Boosting Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Zinc-Air Battery

Transition metal catalysts are regarded as one of promising alternatives to replace traditional Pt-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this work, an efficient ORR catalyst is synthesized by confining Fe₃ C nanoparticles into N, S co-doped porous carbon nanosheets (Fe₃ C/N,S-CNS) via high-temperature pyrolysis, in which 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) demonstrates as an ideal complexing agent for iron (ΙΙΙ) acetylacetonate while g-C₃ N₄ behaves as a nitrogen source. The influence of the pyrolysis temperature on the ORR performance is strictly examined in the controlled experiments. The obtained catalyst exhibits excellent ORR performance (E_1/2  = 0.86 V; E_onset  = 0.98 V) in alkaline electrolyte, coupled by exhibiting the superior catalytic activity and stability (E_1/2  = 0.83 V, E_onset  = 0.95 V) to Pt/C in acidic media. In parallel, its ORR mechanism is carefully illustrated by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, especially the role of the incorporated Fe₃ C played in the catalytic process. The catalyst-assembled Zn-air battery also exhibits a much higher power density (163 mW cm^-2 ) and ultralong cyclic stability in the charge-discharge test for 750 h with a gap increase down to 20 mV. This study provides some constructive insights for preparation of advanced ORR catalysts in green energy conversion units correlated systems.

3D porous carbon conductive network with highly dispersed Fe-Nxsites catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Intrinsic activity and reactive numbers are considered two important factors in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. Herein, we report the rational design and synthesis of a strongly coupled hybrid material comprising of FeZn nanoparticles (FeZn NPs) supported by a three-dimensional carbon conductive network (FeZn NPs@3D-CN) for increased ORR performance. Fe-N-C sites can offer high intrinsic activity owing to the unique bonding and oxygen vacancies, and the carbon conductive network facilitating the exposure to active sites, and increasing electron transport. Because of the synergetic effect of the conductive networks containing Fe-N-C and polyaniline, the catalysts exhibited ORR activity in an alkaline medium via a four-electron transfer process. FeZn NPs@3D-CN exhibited outstanding performance with a limited current density (6.2 mA cm^-2), the Tafel slope (81.19 mV dec^-1), and stability (23 mV negative shift after 2000 cycles), which were superior to those of 20% Pt/C (5.7 mA cm^-2, 75.1 mV dec^-1, 36 mV negative shift after 2000 cycles). This research highlights the effect of conductive networks expanding pathways and reducing the resistance of mass transport, which is a facile method to generate superior ORR electrocatalysts.

Cobalt phosphide nanoparticles encapsulated in manganese, nitrogen co-doped porous carbon nanosheets with rich nanoholes for high-efficiency oxygen reduction reaction

It is a challenging task to research oxygen reduction electrocatalysts with cost-effectiveness, high-performance and ultra-stability to replace traditional noble metal catalysts in renewable energy conversion/storage devices. Herein, cobalt phosphide (Co₂P) nanoparticles encapsulated in Mn, N co-doped porous carbon nanosheets with abundant nanoholes (Co₂P/Mn,N-PCNS) were prepared by a alizarin complexone coordination regulated pyrolysis at 800 °C. In the controlled experiments, the pyrolysis temperature and metal types were investigated in details. The resultant catalyst exhibited rapid mass/charge transfer and superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance (E_onset = 0.96 V; E_1/2 = 0.86 V vs RHE), surpassing commercial Pt/C. This work presents some constructive guidelines for synthesis of appealing ORR electrocatalysts in renewable energy technology.