Tailoring the Surface Curvature of the Supporting Carbon to Tune the d‐Band Center of Fe−N−C Single‐Atom Catalysts for Zinc‐Urea‐Air Batteries

The catalytic activities of the Fe-N-C single-atom catalysts (SACs) are associated with the varying atomic interactions through its characteristic coordination geometry. Yet, modulation of the surface curvature of carbon acting as a supporting body has not been investigated. Herein, we report the superior catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and enhanced performance for urea oxidation reaction (UOR) of single Fe atoms anchored on a highly curved N-doped carbon dodecahedron with concave morphology (Fe SA/NhcC). Theoretical calculations and in situ spectroscopy disclose that the curvature of the carbon support helps to shorten the bond length of Fe-N, spatially redistributing the charges…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 52401295
• NR
  National Research Foundation of Korea

  Awards: RS-2023-00261543, NRF-2022R1A2B5B03001781
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Awards: D5000230358, G2024KY05105