Modulating the microenvironment structure of single Zn atom: ZnN4P/C active site for boosted oxygen reduction reaction

The electronic structure of catalytic active sites can be influenced by modulating the coordination bonding central single metal atom, but it is difficult to achieve. Herein, we reported Zn-atom incorporated dual doped P, N carbon framework (Zn-N4P/C) for ORR via engineering surrounding environment centers. Zn-N4P/C catalyst exhibited comparable activity (E1/2 = 0.86 V) and significantly better stability than that Pt/C catalyst. It also shows respectable performance in terms maximum peak power density (249.6 mW cm?2), specific capacitance (779 mAh g?1), charge-discharge cycling 150 hours Zn-air battery. high attributed uniform sites, tunable electronic/geometric configuration, optimized intrinsic activity, faster mass transfer during ORR-pathway. Further, theoretical results exposed Zn-N4P configuration more electrochemically as compared Zn-N4 oxygen reduction reaction.