High-Density Cobalt Single-Atom Catalysts for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Single atom catalysts (SACs) possess unique catalytic properties due to low-coordination and unsaturated active sites. However, the demonstrated performance of SACs is limited by low SAC loading, poor metal–support interactions, and nonstable performance. Herein, we report a macromolecule-assisted SAC synthesis approach that enabled us to demonstrate high-density Co single atoms (10.6 wt % Co SAC) in a pyridinic N-rich graphenic network. The highly porous carbon network (surface area of ∼186 m2 g–1) with increased conjugation and vicinal Co site decoration in Co SACs significantly enhanced the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 1 M KOH (η10 at 351 mV; mass activity of 2209 mA mgCo–1 at 1.65 V)…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Award: DE-SC0012577
• UO
  University of Calgary
• CC
  Compute Canada
• CR
  Canada Research Chairs

  Award: 950-23288
• CF
  Canada First Research Excellence Fund
• AD
  Alliance de recherche numérique du Canada
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

  Award: RGPIN-2020-04960
• FD
  Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies

  Award: 2021-NC-283234