Activation of Main‐Group Antimony Atomic Sites for Oxygen Reduction Catalysis

Abstract

AbstractThe catalytic activity of main‐group metal is hard to promote because of the intrinsic lack of host d orbitals available to be combined. Herein, under the guidance of theoretical predictions, we find atom‐dispersed antimony sites (Sb−N4 moieties) can be activated to achieve high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity using a functional group regulation strategy. Correspondingly, we manage to synthesize a main‐group Sb single‐atom catalysts (SACs) that comprises Sb−N4 active moieties functionalized by epoxy groups in the second microenvironment and incorporated in N‐doped graphene (Sb1/NG(O)). The electron‐rich epoxy group can adjust the electronic structure of Sb−N4 active moieties, thereby optimizing the adsorption of the intermediate. The Sb SACs are comparable to industrial Pt/C under alkaline conditions. This discovery provides new opportunities to manipulate and improve the catalytic activity of main‐group‐element electrocatalysts.