Identification of catalytic sites in cobalt-nitrogen-carbon materials for the oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract Single-atom catalysts with full utilization of metal centers can bridge the gap between molecular and solid-state catalysis. Metal-nitrogen-carbon materials prepared via pyrolysis are promising single-atom catalysts but often also comprise metallic particles. Here, we pyrolytically synthesize a Co–N–C material only comprising atomically dispersed cobalt ions and identify with X-ray absorption spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements and density functional theory the structure and electronic state of three porphyrinic moieties, CoN 4 C 12 , CoN 3 C 10,porp and CoN 2 C 5 . The O 2 electro-reduction and operando X-ray absorption response are measured in acidic medium on Co–N–C and compared to…

• AN
  Agence Nationale de la Recherche

  Award: 2011 CHEX 004 01
• IC
  Institut Català d'Investigació Química
• ER
  European Regional Development Fund

  Award: SOE1/P1/E0293
• I
  Interreg

  Award: SOE1/P1/E0293