Nanocasting SiO2 into metal–organic frameworks imparts dual protection to high-loading Fe single-atom electrocatalysts

Abstract Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have sparked broad interest recently while the low metal loading poses a big challenge for further applications. Herein, a dual protection strategy has been developed to give high-content SACs by nanocasting SiO 2 into porphyrinic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). The pyrolysis of SiO 2 @MOF composite affords single-atom Fe implanted N-doped porous carbon (Fe SA –N–C) with high Fe loading (3.46 wt%). The spatial isolation of Fe atoms centered in porphyrin linkers of MOF sets the first protective barrier to inhibit the Fe agglomeration during pyrolysis. The SiO 2 in MOF provides additional protection by creating thermally stable FeN 4 /SiO 2 interfaces. Thanks to the…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Awards: AC02-06CH11357, Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357, DE-AC02, 06CH11357, No. DE-AC02-06CH11357, DE-AC02-06CH11357, DE-AC02-
• CL
  Canadian Light Source

  Award: DE-AC02-06CH11357
• SS
  Salt Science Research Foundation
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 21673213, 21725101, DE-AC02-06CH11357, 21871244, 21521001, 21725101, 21871244, 21673213, 21521001
• CP
  China Postdoctoral Science Foundation

  Awards: 2019M660151, 2019TQ0298, 2019TQ0298, 2019M660151
• UO
  University of Science and Technology of China
• NS
  National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
• OO
  Office of Science

  Awards: DE-AC02-06CH11357, Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357, DE-AC02, No. DE-AC02-06CH11357, 06CH11357, AC02-06CH11357
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Awards: WK2060030029, 21871244
• BE
  Basic Energy Sciences

  Awards: DE-AC02, Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357, AC02-06CH11357, 06CH11357