Ultrastable bimetallic Fe2Mo for efficient oxygen reduction reaction in pH-universal applications

Jue Hu, Chengxu Zhang, Mingzi Sun, Qianglong Qi, Shanxiong Luo, Hongchuan Song, Jingyi Xiao, Bolong Huang, Michael K.H. Leung, Yingjie Zhang

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Iron-based nanostructures represent an emerging class of catalysts with high electroactivity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in energy storage and conversion technologies. However, current practical applications have been limited by insufficient durability in both alkaline and acidic environments. In particular, limited attention has been paid to stabilizing iron-based catalysts by introducing additional metal by the alloying effect. Herein, we report bimetallic Fe2Mo nanoparticles on N-doped carbon (Fe2Mo/NC) as an efficient and ultra-stable ORR electrocatalyst for the first time. The Fe2Mo/NC catalyst shows high selectivity for a four-electron pathway of ORR and remarkable electrocatalytic activity with high kinetics current density and half-wave potential as well as low Tafel slope in both acidic and alkaline medias. It demonstrates excellent long-term durability with no activity loss even after 10,000 potential cycles. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have confirmed the modulated electronic structure of formed Fe2Mo, which supports the electron-rich structure for the ORR process. Meanwhile, the mutual protection between Fe and Mo sites guarantees efficient electron transfer and long-term stability, especially under the alkaline environment. This work has supplied an effective strategy to solve the dilemma between high electroactivity and long-term durability for the Fe-based electrocatalysts, which opens a new direction of developing novel electrocatalyst systems for future research. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4950-4957
Number of pages8
JournalNano Research
Volume15
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2022

Keywords

  • FeMo bimetallic nanoparticles
  • oxygen reduction reaction
  • superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance
  • ultralong stability
  • zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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