Enhancing the ORR durability of single atomic Fe-N4 active sites with implanted SiO2 nanoparticles as radical and H2O2 inhibitors

Maosong Liu, Zhihao Lei, Xianhe Lv, Xiaoxue Song, Long Zhang, Shun Li, Tao Sun, Li Li, Jianing Hui, Wenyong Zhang, Siew Yee Wong, Xu Li (), Guang-Jie Xia (), Jianming Zhang () and Shuhui Sun ()
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Maosong Liu: Jiangsu University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Zhihao Lei: University of Newcastle, Global Innovative Center of Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment
Xianhe Lv: Jiangsu University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Xiaoxue Song: Jiangsu University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Long Zhang: Jiangsu University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Shun Li: Jiangsu University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Tao Sun: Jiangsu University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Li Li: Jiangsu University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Jianing Hui: New District, Jiangsu Cnano Technology Co., Ltd
Wenyong Zhang: New District, Jiangsu Cnano Technology Co., Ltd
Siew Yee Wong: Technology and Research (A*STAR), Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science
Xu Li: Technology and Research (A*STAR), Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science
Guang-Jie Xia: Great Bay University & Great Bay Institute for Advanced Study, School of Physical Sciences
Jianming Zhang: Jiangsu University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Shuhui Sun: Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS)

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Highly efficient and durable single-atom catalysts (SACs) hold great promise for improving oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in metal-air batteries and fuel cells. However, their long-term stability is challenged by the byproducts such as H2O2 and undesirable radicals. Herein, we report a Fe-N4 active center-based SAC decorated with SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) as a radical scavenger, which was prepared using coffee grounds and industrial spent acid residue. The presence of SiO2 NPs effectively suppresses the electrochemical H2O2 production, significantly improving durability with only a 5 mV half-wave potential loss after 30,000 voltage cycles in alkaline media. Electrochemical evaluations, in-situ characterizations, and density functional theory calculations reveal that the Fe-O-Si binding at the SiO2–Fe-N4 interface strengthens the binding of OOH* species, facilitating the 4-electron selectivity in ORR while inhibiting the formation of H2O2 and reactive oxygen species. Additionally, the SiO2 NPs prevent the aggregation of Fe single atomic sites, thereby stabilizing the SAC active sites. Therefore, the incorporation of SiO2 NP into Fe-based SAC offers a straightforward and effective strategy for enhancing ORR performance.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65194-0

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