Spin-Selective Coupling in Mott-Schottky Er2O3-Co Boosts Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction

Alkaline oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical to electrochemical energy conversion technology, yet the rational breaking of thermodynamic inhibition for ORR through spin regulation remains a challenge. Herein, a Mott-Schottky catalyst consisting of Er2O3-Co particles uniformly implanted into carbon nanofibers (Er2O3-Co/CNF) is designed for enhancing ORR via spin-selective coupling. The optimized Er2O3-Co/CNF affords a high half-wave potential (0.835 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE) and onset potential (0.989 V-RHE) for the ORR surpassing individual Co/CNF and Er2O3/CNF. Theoretical calculations reveal the introduction of Er2O3 optimizes the electronic structure of Co through Er(4f)-O(2p)-Co(3d) gradient orbital coupling, resulting in significantly enhanced ORR performance. Through gradient orbital coupling, the induced spin-up hole in Co 3d states endows the Er-O-Co unit active site with a spin-selective coupling channel for electron transition. This favors the decrease of the energy gap in the potential-limiting step, thus achieving a high theoretical limiting potential of 0.77 V-RHE for the Er2O3-Co. Moreover, the potential practicability of Er2O3-Co/CNF as an air-cathode is also demonstrated in Zn-air batteries. This work is believed to provide, new perspectives for the design of efficient ORR electrocatalysts by engineering spin-selective coupling induced by rare-earth oxides.

Automated summary

A Mott-Schottky catalyst consisting of Er2O3-Co particles implanted into carbon nanofibers (Er2O3-Co/CNF) is designed to enhance alkaline oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) via spin-selective coupling. The optimized Er2O3-Co/CNF shows improved ORR performance compared to individual Co/CNF and Er2O3/CNF. The introduction of Er2O3 optimizes the electronic structure of Co through gradient orbital coupling, resulting in significantly enhanced ORR performance. This work provides new perspectives for the design of efficient ORR electrocatalysts by engineering spin-selective coupling induced by rare-earth oxides.