Engineering unsymmetrically coordinated Cu-S1N3 single atom sites with enhanced oxygen reduction activity

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16848-8
• Publication Date: 2020-06-16T10:04:43Z
• Authors: Huishan Shang; Xiangyi Zhou; Juncai Dong; Ang Li; Xu Zhao; Qinghua Liu; Yue Lin; Jiajing Pei; Zhi Li; Zhuoli Jiang; Danni Zhou; Lirong Zheng; Yu Wang; Jing Zhou; Zhengkun Yang; Rui Cao; Ritimukta Sarangi; Tingting Sun; Xin Yang; Xusheng Zheng; Wensheng Yan; Zhongbin Zhuang; Jia Li; Wenxing Chen; Dingsheng Wang; Jiatao Zhang; Yadong Li
• Keywords: Moiety; Carbon fibers

Abstract Atomic interface regulation is thought to be an efficient method adjust the performance of single atom catalysts. Herein, a practical strategy was reported rationally design copper atoms coordinated with both sulfur and nitrogen in metal-organic framework derived hierarchically porous carbon (S-Cu-ISA/SNC). The atomic configuration site S-Cu-ISA/SNC detected unsymmetrically arranged Cu-S 1 N 3 moiety. catalyst exhibits excellent oxygen reduction reaction activity half-wave potential 0.918 V vs. RHE. Additionally, through situ X-ray absorption fine structure tests, we discover that low-valent Cuprous-S moiety acts as active center during process. Our discovery provides universal scheme for controllable synthesis metal catalysts toward energy applications.