Abstract
AbstractSingle‐atom‐based catalysts are intriguing electrocatalytic platforms that combine the advantages of molecular catalysts and conductive carbon‐based materials. In this work, hybrids (Co‐NrGO‐1 and Co‐NrGO‐2) were generated by wet‐reactions between organometallic complexes (Co(CH3COO)2 and Co[CH3(CH2)3CH(C2H5)COO]2, respectively) and N‐doped reduced graphene oxide at 25°C. Various characterizations revealed the formation of atomically dispersed Co(O)4(N) species in Co‐NrGO‐2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations explained the effect of the aliphatic C7 group in Co2 on the formation processes. The Co‐NrGO‐2 hybrid showed excellent catalytic performance, such as onset (0.94 V) and half‐wave (0.83 V) potentials, for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Co‐NrGO‐2 outperformed Co‐NrGO‐1, which was explained by more back donation to the antibonding orbitals of O2 from electron‐rich aliphatic groups. DFT calculations support this feature, with mechanistic investigations showing favored ORR reactions and facile breakage of double bonds in O2.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.