Central electron-enriched NO-FeN₄ sites as superior acidic oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Developing nobel-metal-free catalysts, especially for iron-nitrogen on carbon (FeNC) materials, has been an urgent demand for wide applications of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, the inferior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of traditional iron-nitrogen sites in acidic conditions seriously impedes the further improvement of their performance. Herein, we synthesized FeN₄ with NO (nitric oxide) group axial modification (denoted as NO-FeN₄) on a large scale through a confined small molecule synthesis strategy. Benefitting from the strong electron-withdrawing effect of the NO group, the central electron-rich FeN₄ site exhibits ultrahigh ORR activity with a three times higher mass activity (1.1 A·g⁻¹ at 0.85 V) compared to the traditional FeN₄ sample, as well as full four-electron reaction selectivity. Moreover, the PEMFC assembled with the as-prepared electrocatalyst also exhibits a greatly enhanced peak power density (>725 mW·cm⁻²). This work provides a new approach to rationally design advanced M-N_x nonnoble electrocatalysts for the ORR.