Superstructure-Assisted Single-Atom Catalysis on Tungsten Carbides for Bifunctional Oxygen Reactions

Single-atom catalysis (SAC) attracts wide interest for zinc–air batteries that require high-performance bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reactions. However, catalyst design is still highly challenging because of the insufficient driving force for promoting multiple-electron transfer kinetics. Herein, we report a superstructure-assisted SAC on tungsten carbides for oxygen evolution and reduction reactions. In addition to the usual single atomic sites, strikingly, we reveal the presence of highly ordered Co superstructures in the interfacial region with tungsten carbides that induce internal strain and promote bifunctional catalysis. Theoretical calculations show that the combined effects from…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 22378055
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province

  Awards: B2021203016, 2021203005
• HP
  Hebei Provincial Department of Bureau of Science and Technology

  Award: 226Z4404G
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Awards: N2125004, N2225044, N2002005
• BA
  Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province

  Award: 2022A1515140188