Asymmetrically Coordinated Calcium Single Atom for High-Performance Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

S-block single atoms represent an ideal catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as they can suppress the Fenton reaction. However, the symmetry of the s/p orbitals tends to generate either an excessively strong or weak interaction with intermediates. Herein, Ca single atoms coordinated with -S, -OP, and three N atoms (Ca/NPS-HC) were fabricated to modulate the adsorption of intermediates and promote the efficiency of s-block ORR catalysts. The experimental results from ORR demonstrated that the Ca/NPS-HC catalyst exhibited outstanding catalytic capability with a half-wave potential of 0.89 V, a kinetic current density of 56.6 mA cm^–2 at 0.85 V, and a Tafel slope of 42 mV dec^–1, outperforming commercial Pt/C. The detailed mechanistic studies revealed that the asymmetric coordination of Ca single atoms led to the symmetry-breaking of electron distribution in Ca single atoms, attenuating the s-p hybridization from the intermediate adsorption process, and thereby minimizing the energy barrier of the whole ORR.