Tuning the atomic configuration environment of MnN_(4) sites by Co cooperation for efficient oxygen reduction

Carbon-based N-coordinated Mn(Mn-N_(x)/C)single-atom electrocatalysts are considered as one of the most desirable non-precious oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)candidates due to their insignificant Fenton reactivity,high abundance,and intriguing electrocatalytic performance.However,current MnN_(x)/C single-atom electrocatalysts suffer from high overpotentials because of their low intrinsic activity and unsatisfactory chemical stability.Herein,through an in-situ polymerization-assisted pyrolysis,the Co as a second metal is introduced into the Mn-N_(x)/C system to construct Co,Mn-N_(x)dual-metallic sites,which atomically disperse in N-doped 1D carbon nanorods,denoted as Co,Mn-N/CNR and hereafter.Using electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy(XAS)techniques,we verify the uniform dispersion of CoN4and MnN4atomic sites and confirm the effect of Co doping on the MnN_(4) electronic structure.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations further elucidate that the energy barrier of ratedetermining step(^(*)OH desorption)decreases over the 2 N-bridged MnCoN_(6) moieties related to the pure MnN_(4).This work provides an effective strategy to modulate the local coordination environment and electronic structure of MnN_(4) active sites for improving their ORR activity and stability.