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Janus effect of FeCo dual atom catalyst with Co as active center in acidic oxygen reduction reaction

Author

Listed:
  • Long-Ji Yuan

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Zhen-Yu Miao

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Xu-Lei Sui

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Chi-Feng Lee

    (Tamkang University)

  • Qi Li

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Mei-Jie Yin

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Li-Xiao Shen

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Ying-Rui Lu

    (Hsinchu Science Park)

  • Zi-Gang Zhao

    (Harbin Institute of Technology
    Harbin Engineering University)

  • Yu-Zhe Liu

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Lin-Sheng Zhu

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Wei Gong

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Wen-Liang Feng

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University)

  • Hsiao-Tsu Wang

    (Tamkang University)

  • Guo-Xu Zhang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Zhen-Bo Wang

    (Shenzhen University
    Shenzhen University
    Harbin Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Dual-atom catalysts (DACs) represent a frontier in heterogeneous electrocatalysis for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. However, the dynamic evolution of active-site structure complicates mechanistic understanding. Herein, alloyed Fe-Co DACs with strong Fe-Co bonds are synthesized via molecular chelation and ionic coupling strategies. In-situ spectroscopy combined with theoretical calculation reveals the Janus effect of Fe-Co dual-atom sites: Co serves as the primary catalytic center for the 4e- process with Fe as the cooperative sites to absorb the *OH. This division-of-labor mechanism lowers the theoretical overpotential from 1.14 V to 0.43 V for acidic oxygen reduction reaction. Thus, the catalyst achieves a 0.852 V half-wave potential and 1.14 W cm−2 power density (2.0 bar H₂-O₂), sustaining 81% peak power after 10,000 cycles. These findings clarify DAC configuration-mechanism relationships, guiding the design of high-performance DACs.

Suggested Citation

  • Long-Ji Yuan & Zhen-Yu Miao & Xu-Lei Sui & Chi-Feng Lee & Qi Li & Mei-Jie Yin & Li-Xiao Shen & Ying-Rui Lu & Zi-Gang Zhao & Yu-Zhe Liu & Lin-Sheng Zhu & Wei Gong & Wen-Liang Feng & Hsiao-Tsu Wang & Gu, 2025. "Janus effect of FeCo dual atom catalyst with Co as active center in acidic oxygen reduction reaction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62728-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62728-4
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