@article{Qi2025, 
author = {Yugang Qi and Kexin Song and Qing Liang and Xinyan Zhou and Meiqi Liu and Wenwen Li and Fuxi Liu and Zhou Jiang and Qinhua Gu and Zhongjun Chen and Bingsen Zhang and Wei Zhang},
title = {Asymmetric B-coordination stimulated high-spin cobalt boosts ORR},
year = {2025},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {18},
number = {4},
pages = {94907278},
keywords = {electrocatalysis, oxygen reduction reaction, single atom catalyst, spin state},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2025.94907278},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2025.94907278},
abstract = {As affordable electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in metal-air batteries, nitrogen-carbon supported atomically dispersed single-atom transition-metal electrocatalysts are emerging. Accurately modulating the first-shell coordination of single-atom metal sites remains challenging, which impedes the elucidation of geometric/electronic structures for optimizing ORR catalysts. Aiming to tackle this challenge by rational design and constructing an asymmetric coordination model catalyst Co-B/N-C, herein we unravel that asymmetric B-coordination stimulates the generation of Co high spin state (t2g5eg2). By using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), we confirm Co active sites are atomically dispersed with a first-shell coordination of boron and nitrogen atom (Co-B1N3). Thus, the adsorption strength and electron transfer between the cobalt centers and the reactants/intermediates were boosted for optimal ORR capacity (E1/2 = 0.87 V). Our work will provide valuable new perspectives on the strategic development of high-performance magnetic metal catalysts for ORR.}
}