Oxygen utilization in electrochemical energy generation systems requires to overcome the slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we have outstretched an efficient strategy in order for developing a bioinspired Zn (N 4 )/sulfur/graphitic carbon composite (Zn-S-Gc) with an effective performance for the ORR at low temperature. The catalyst composite was created by attaching the Zn (N 4 ) centers in the form of zinc phthalocyanine on the sulfur-linked graphitic carbon surface. The most positive ORR onset potential of about 1.00 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) was obtained due to the unique structure of a new catalyst in KOH solution (pH = 13) at low temperature (T = 298 K). The catalyst was evaluated using the rotating-disk electrode method in the potential range of −0.02-1.18 V versus RHE. The number of transferred electrons as one of the most important parameters (n > 3.70) is almost constant in a wide range of low overpotentials (0.1-0.6 V), which indicates a more efficient four-electron pathway from O 2 to H 2 O on the catalyst surface. The estimated Tafel slope in an appropriate range is about ≈ −133.3 mV/dec at a low current density and E 1/2 of the electrocatalyst displays a negative shift of only 11 mV after 10,000 cycles. The mean size of the catalyst centers is on the nanoscale (<50 nm).
K E Y W O R D Selectrocatalyst, fuel cell, nanomaterials, nonprecious metal catalysts, oxygen reduction reaction, zinc phthalocyanine