Recent Advances in Fe-Free M-N-C Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Journal: ChemSusChem
Published Date: Jul 27, 2025

Abstract

Atomically dispersed metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) materials, characterized by well-defined coordination structures, have emerged as promising candidates to supersede costly platinum-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Although Fe-N-C catalysts exhibit the highest ORR activity among Pt-free systems, their practical application is hindered by durability challenges stemming from Fenton reaction-induced degradation. Fe-free M-N-C catalysts (MCo, Mn, Ni, etc.), which mitigate Fenton reactivity, have attracted significant attention; however, their catalytic activities remain markedly lower than those of Fe-based counterparts. Critical uncertainties persist in establishing structure-activity-stability relationships, particularly regarding the interplay between coordination architecture engineering, single-atom site density, and overall catalytic performance. This review critically examines ORR mechanisms underpinning M-N-C systems, evaluates innovative strategies to decouple activity and stability in Fe-free catalysts, and proposes frameworks to translate atomic-scale materials into enhanced device-level performance. Finally, a multidisciplinary roadmap integrating advanced synthesis, operando diagnostics, and machine learning to speed up the development of durable, high-performance ORR electrocatalysts is proposed.

Authors

  • Xinlong Tian
    Hainan University, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China, 570228, Haikou, CHINA.
  • Yuxian Duan
    Hainan University, School of Marine Science and Engineering, CHINA.
  • Min Chen
    School of Computer Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430074 China.
  • Lizhi Gao
    Hainan University, School of Marine Science and Engineering, CHINA.
  • Hongxian Luo
    Hainan University, School of Marine Science and Engineering, CHINA.
  • Yichi Guan
    Hainan University, School of Marine Science and Engineering, CHINA.
  • Yu Zhou
    Department of Biospectroscopy, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V., Dortmund, Germany.
  • Junming Luo
    Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, P. R. China.
  • Ruisong Li
    Hainan University, School of Marine Science and Engineering, CHINA.
  • Daoxiong Wu
    Hainan University, School of Marine Science and Engineering, CHINA.
  • Zhengpei Miao
    Hainan University, School of Marine Science and Engineering, CHINA.
  • Chongtai Wang
    Hainan Normal University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, CHINA.

Keywords

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