AUTHOR=Deng Yaoyao , Pang Jiazheng , Ge Wenzheng , Zhang Minxi , Zhang Wentao , Zhang Wei , Xiang Mei , Zhou Quanfa , Bai Jirong 

TITLE=Constructing atomically-dispersed Mn on ZIF-derived nitrogen-doped carbon for boosting oxygen reduction

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2022.969905

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2022.969905

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=<p>Exploring durable and highly-active non-noble-metal nanomaterials to supersede Pt-based nanomaterials is an effective way, which can reduce the cost and boost the catalytic efficiency of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we constructed atomically-dispersed Mn atoms on the ZIF-derived nitrogen-doped carbon frameworks (Mn-N<sub>x</sub>/NC) by stepwise pyrolysis. The Mn-N<sub>x</sub>/NC relative to pure nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity with a higher half-wave potential (<italic>E</italic><sub>1/2</sub> = 0.88 V) and a modest Tafel slope (90 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>) toward ORR. The enhanced ORR performance of Mn-N<sub>x</sub>/NC may be attributed to the existence of Mn-N<sub>x</sub> active sites, which can more easily adsorb intermediates, promoting the efficiency of ORR. This work provides a facile route to synthesize single-atom catalysts for ORR.</p>