Carbon-Conjugated Co Complexes as Model Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Qidi,Sun1,2; Qing,Wang1; Fuzhi,Li1; Yizhe,Liu2; Xintong,Li2; Zonglong,Zhu2; Jianlin,Chen3; Yung-Kang,Peng2; Jun,Gu1

2023-02-01

10.3390/catal13020330

CATALYSTS   Impact Factor & Quartile

2073-4344

Single-atom catalysts are a family of heterogeneous electrocatalysts widely used in energy storage and conversion. The determination of the local structure of the active metal sites is challenging, which limits the establishment of the reliable structure-property relationship of single-atom catalysts. A carbon black-conjugated complex can be used as the model catalyst to probe the intrinsic activity of metal sites with certain local structures. In this work, we prepared carbon black-conjugated [Co(phenanthroline)Cl-2], [Co(o-phenylenediamine)Cl-2] and [Co(salophen)]. In these catalysts, the Co complexes with well-defined structures are anchored on the edge of carbon black by pyrazine moieties. The number of electrochemical accessible Co sites can be measured from the area of the redox peaks of pyrazine linkers in the cyclic voltammetry curve. Then, the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of one Co site can be obtained. The catalytic performances of the three catalysts towards oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline conditions were measured. Carbon black-conjugated [Co(salophen)] showed the highest intrinsic activity with the turnover frequency of 0.72 s(-1) at 0.75 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode. The strategy developed in this work can be used to explore and verify the possible local structure of active sites proposed for single-atom catalysts.

electrocatalysis single-atom catalyst model catalyst oxygen reduction reaction Co complex

SCI

English

First ; Corresponding

National Natural Science Foundation of China[22272073] ; Shenzhen Science and Technology Program["JCYJ20210324104414039","JCYJ20220818100410023"] ; Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation["2021A1515110360","2022A1515011976"]

Chemistry

Chemistry, Physical

WOS:000938316500001

MDPI

Web of Science

1.Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
2.Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
3.Department of Applied Science, School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Good Shepherd Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong

Qidi,Sun,Qing,Wang,Fuzhi,Li,et al. Carbon-Conjugated Co Complexes as Model Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction[J]. CATALYSTS,2023,13(2).

Qidi,Sun.,Qing,Wang.,Fuzhi,Li.,Yizhe,Liu.,Xintong,Li.,...&Jun,Gu.(2023).Carbon-Conjugated Co Complexes as Model Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.CATALYSTS,13(2).

Qidi,Sun,et al."Carbon-Conjugated Co Complexes as Model Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction".CATALYSTS 13.2(2023).