Single atomically anchored iron on graphene quantum dots for a highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) supported on carbon-based materials are very promising for maximizing their electrocatalytic activity. However, carbon-based SACs are primarily bonded with carbons, resulting in an inferior performance in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we develop a novel coordination adsorption strategy for the synthesis of a monodispersed Fe(NO)(2) moiety anchored on the nitrogen sites of the nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) to form a Fe(NO)(2)-N-GQDs complex as an efficient OER catalyst. The resultant Fe(NO)(2)-N-GQDs complex exhibits a highly stable overpotential of 270 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) and a Tafel slope of 48 mV dec(-1) together with long-term durability, which greatly outperforms the state-of-the-art RuO2. Our finding emphasizes the role of electron-transfer resistance changes during a simple synthesis method to enhance electrocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, this work will envision numerous opportunities for creating novel-type carbon-based SACs via nitrogen-metal coordination as highly robust OER catalysts. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.