Hybridization of iron phthalocyanine and MoS_(2)for high-efficiency and durable oxygen reduction reaction

Hybrid catalysts based on iron phthalocyanine(FePc)have raised much attention due to their promising applications in electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction(ORR).Various hybridization strategies have been developed for improving their activity and durability.However,the influence of different hybridization strategies on their catalytic performance remains unclear.In this study,Fe Pc was effectively distributed on molybdenum disulfide(MoS_(2))forming Fe Pc-based hybrid catalysts,namely Fe Pc-MoS_(2),Fe Pc*-MoS_(2),and Fe Pc-Py-MoS_(2),respectively,to disclose the related influence.Through direct hybridization,the stacked and highly dispersed Fe Pc on MoS_(2)resulted in Fe Pc-MoS_(2),and Fe Pc*-MoS_(2),respectively,in which the substrate and Fe Pc are mainly bound through van der Waals interactions.Through covalent hybridization strategy using pyridyl(Py)as a linker,Fe Pc-Py-MoS_(2)hybrid catalyst was prepared.Experimental and theoretical results disclosed that the linker hybridization of Fe Pc and MoS_(2)facilitated the exposure of Fe-N4 sites,maintained the intrinsic activity of Fe Pc by forming a more dispersed phase and increased the durability via Fe-N bonding,rendering the Fe Pc-Py-MoS_(2)an excellent ORR hybrid catalyst.Compared with van der Waals hybridized Fe Pc-MoS_(2)and Fe Pc*-MoS_(2)in alkaline media,the linker hybridized Fe Pc-Py-MoS_(2)showed an obviously enhanced ORR activity with a half-wave potential(E_(1/2))of 0.88 V vs RHE and an ultralow Tafel slope of 26 m V dec-1.Besides,the Fe Pc-Py-MoS_(2)exhibited a negligible decay of E_(1/2) after 50,000 CV cycles for ORR,showing its superior durability.This work gives us more insight into the influence of different hybrid strategies on Fe Pc catalysts and provides further guidance for the development of highly efficient and durable ORR catalysts.