Ternary Synergism of Heterogeneous M1N4‐C‐M2N4‐C‐M3N4Single‐Atom Sites to Manipulate the Electrocatalytic Pathway for Zn‐Air Battery and Water Splitting

Abstract

AbstractTernary metal catalysts hold great promise in complementary functionality and synergistic interplay, which are promising for combined reactions involving multi‐intermediates. However, simultaneously downscaling all three metal species into single‐atom level still remains challenge. Herein, a universal metal encapsulation‐segregation‐overlay strategy is designed to realize the fabrication of heterogeneous M1N4‐C‐M2N4‐C‐M3N4ternary single‐atoms (TSAs)‐based catalysts, with well‐defined configuration and threefold enhancement of single‐atom loading (IrPtCu TSAs, up to 21.24 wt%). Taking non‐precious‐metallic CoN4‐C‐NiN4‐C‐FeN4TSAs for instance, the integration of triple‐decker single‐atoms affords strong electronic reciprocity, with interbedded Ni donating electrons for both Fe and Co, thereby simultaneously enhancing the catalytic activity for oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution through a “site‐selective master‐servant” mechanism. Thanks to the mutually assisted tri‐functionality, the CoN4‐C‐NiN4‐C‐FeN4TSAs‐electrode takes on alternatating master/servant roles to enable outstanding recyclability for energy devices. This work breaks the obstructions in synthesis and fundamental study of TSAs, providing insights into atomic material design for complicated catalytic reactions.