The local coordination environment around the active
centers has
a major impact on tuning the intrinsic activity of M–N–C
catalysts. Herein, a porous graphene with Fe–N5 active
sites modified with Fe clusters is successfully fabricated by using
Fe3+-SCN– and NaHCO3 as the
metal precursor and pore-forming agent, respectively. The unique Fe–N5 configuration accompanying Fe clusters and the improved ORR
activity are confirmed by various characterization techniques and
theoretical calculations. Benefiting from the pores, mass and electron
transfer channels are successfully constructed, making more active
sites accessible and facilitating the ORR process. As a consequence,
the as-prepared catalyst has an excellent ORR activity with a half-wave
potential of 0.89 V, comparable selectivity, and superior stability.
In addition, a homemade primary zinc–air battery using this
material as the cathode catalyst has a maximum power density of 0.205
W/cm2, revealing the potential of the as-constructed CSA-Fe–N–C
catalyst to replace precious Pt catalysts.
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