Weakening O[sbnd]O binding on Au-Cu2O/carbon nanotube catalysts with local misfit dislocation by interfacial coupling interaction for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract

Au-incorporation into nonprecious metal oxides is a promising strategy to optimize the constitution and improve electron transfer at the interface. Regrettably, achieving the desired performances has remained a significant challenge in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, we report the synthesis of the xAu-Cu2O/carbon nanotube (CNTs) catalysts. In the case of 0.52Au-Cu2O/CNTs, the Au atoms are incorporated into the Cu2O lattice and an atomically dispersed Au is distributed on the outer shell regions of Cu2O microsphere, and it exhibits a superior ORR activity among the as-prepared catalysts due to strong interfacial coupling interaction. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the adsorption of O2 on Au-Cu2O is the bridge mode between Cu and adjacent Au atoms, which can accelerate the kinetics of the OO bond split and increase the dissociation of OO bonds. The study evidences the significant role of interfacial coupling interaction in binary or multi-component electrocatalysts.