Single-atom Rh/N-doped carbon electrocatalyst for formic acid oxidation.

TLDR: Synthesis of atomically dispersed Rh on N-doped carbon is successfully synthesized and it is discovered that SA-Rh/CN exhibits promising electrocatalytic properties for formic acid oxidation and exhibits greatly enhanced tolerance to CO poisoning.

Abstract: To meet the requirements of potential applications, it is of great importance to explore new catalysts for formic acid oxidation that have both ultra-high mass activity and CO resistance. Here, we successfully synthesize atomically dispersed Rh on N-doped carbon (SA-Rh/CN) and discover that SA-Rh/CN exhibits promising electrocatalytic properties for formic acid oxidation. The mass activity shows 28- and 67-fold enhancements compared with state-of-the-art Pd/C and Pt/C, respectively, despite the low activity of Rh/C. Interestingly, SA-Rh/CN exhibits greatly enhanced tolerance to CO poisoning, and Rh atoms in SA-Rh/CN resist sintering after long-term testing, resulting in excellent catalytic stability. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the formate route is more favourable on SA-Rh/CN. According to calculations, the high barrier to produce CO, together with the relatively unfavourable binding with CO, contribute to its CO tolerance. Atomically dispersed Rh on N-doped carbon exhibits 28- and 67-fold enhancements compared with state-of-the-art Pd/C and Pt/C, despite the low activity of Rh/C. The Rh single atoms exhibit high tolerance to CO poisoning compared to Rh nanoparticles.