Carbon-Conjugated Co Complexes as Model Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Single-atom catalysts are a family of heterogeneous electrocatalysts widely used in energy storage and conversion. The determination the local structure active metal sites is challenging, which limits establishment reliable structure-property relationship single-atom catalysts. A carbon black-conjugated complex can be as model catalyst to probe intrinsic activity with certain structures. In this work, we prepared [Co(phenanthroline)Cl2], [Co(o-phenylenediamine)Cl2] [Co(salophen)]. these catalysts, Co complexes well-defined structures anchored on edge black by pyrazine moieties. number electrochemical accessible measured from area redox peaks linkers cyclic voltammetry curve. Then, electrocatalytic one site obtained. catalytic performances three towards oxygen reduction reaction alkaline conditions were measured. Carbon [Co(salophen)] showed highest turnover frequency 0.72 s−1 at 0.75 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode. strategy developed work explore verify possible proposed for