Developing new synthetic methods to single atoms and cluster is a significant challenge in material science. Here we report a new strategy to achieve stable Co single atoms/nitrogen-doped porous carbon with high metal concentration over 4%. This strategy is based on a pyrolysis process of designed bimetallic Zn/Co metal-organic frameworks, which Co can be reduced by carbonization of the organic linker and Zn will be selectively evaporated away at high temperature above 800 oC. The spherical aberration correction electron microscopy and extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements both confirm the atomic dispersion of Co atoms stabilized by as-generated N-doped porous carbon. This synthetic strategy can be readily applied to other metal single atoms such as Ni, Pt and Ru etc. Surprisingly, the obtained Co-Nx single sites exhibit superior ORR performance with half-wave potential (0.881 V), which is more positive than commercial Pt/C (0.812 V) and most reported non-precious metal catalysts. Durability test revealed the Co single atoms exhibit outstanding chemical stability during the electrocatalysis and thermal stability at 900 oC. Our findings open up a new routine for general and practical synthesis of a variety of single atoms material, which shed light to new discovery in condensed materials at atomic scale.

Rational design of catalyst towards fuel cell: From surface to atom

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.