Article

Cooperation between Dual Metal Atoms and Nanoclusters Enhances Activity and Stability for Oxygen Reduction and Evolution

Zhe WangNational Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, ChinaXiaoyan JinDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of KoreaRuojie XuNational Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, ChinaZhenbei YangNational Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, ChinaShidong MaNational Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, ChinaTao YanNational Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, ChinaChao ZhuSEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center for Micro/Nano Fabrication, Device and System, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, ChinaJian FangNational Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, ChinaYipu LiuState Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, ChinaSeong‐Ju HwangDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of KoreaZhijuan PanNational Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, ChinaHong Jin FanSchool of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371, Singapore

2023en

ABI

Abstract

We have achieved the synthesis of dual-metal single atoms and atomic clusters that co-anchor on a highly graphitic carbon support. The catalyst comprises Ni 4 (and Fe 4 ) nanoclusters located adjacent to the corresponding NiN 4 (and FeN 4 ) single-atom sites, which is verified by systematic X-ray absorption characterization and density functional theory calculations. A distinct cooperation between Fe 4 (Ni 4 ) nanoclusters and the corresponding FeN 4 (NiN 4 ) atomic sites optimizes the adsorption energy of reaction intermediates and reduces the energy barrier of the potential-determining steps. This catalyst exhibits enhanced oxygen reduction and evolution activity and long-cycle stability compared to counterparts without nanoclusters and commercial Pt/C. The fabricated Zn–air batteries deliver a high power density and long-term cyclability, demonstrating their prospects in energy storage device applications.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01287

Citations and references

Cited by 20 references

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