What is the Real Origin of the Activity of Fe–N–C Electrocatalysts in the O 2 Reduction Reaction? Critical Roles of Coordinating Pyrrolic N and Axially Adsorbing Species

Fe–N–C electrocatalysts have emerged as promising substitutes for Pt-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, their real catalytic active site is still under debate. The underlying roles of different types of coordinating N including pyridinic and pyrrolic N in catalytic performance require thorough clarification. In addition, how to understand the pH-dependent activity of Fe–N–C catalysts is another urgent issue. Herein, we comprehensively studied 13 different N-coordinated FeNxC configurations and their corresponding ORR activity through simulations which mimic the realistic electrocatalytic environment on the basis of constant-potential implicit solvent models. We demonstrate that…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 21933006