Enhanced confinement synthesis of atomically dispersed Fe-N-C catalyst from resin polymer for oxygen reduction

Abstract Due to larger atom utilization, unique electronic properties and unsaturated coordination, atomically dispersed non-precious metal catalysts with outstanding performances have received great attention in electrocatalysis. Considering the challenge of serious aggregation, rational synthesis of an atomic catalyst with good dispersion of atoms is paramount to the development of these catalysts. Herein, we report an enhanced confinement strategy to synthesize a catalyst comprised of atomically dispersed Fe supported on porous nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon from the novel and more cross-linkable Melamine-Glyoxal Resin. Densified isolated grid trapping, excessive melamine restricting, and nitrogen anchoring are strongly combined to ensure the final atomic-level dispersion of metal atoms. Experimental studies revealed enhanced kinetics of the obtained catalyst towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This catalytic activity originates from the highly active surface with atomically dispersed iron sites as well as the multi-level three-dimensional structure with fast mass and electron transfer. The enhanced confinement strategy endows the resin-derived atomic catalyst with a great prospect to develop for commercialization in future.