Early View e202509063
Research Article

A Dual-Atom La2 Catalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Jingru Sun

Jingru Sun

Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021 P.R. China

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Tianmi Tang

Tianmi Tang

Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021 P.R. China

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Siying Zhang

Siying Zhang

Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021 P.R. China

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Siyu Chen

Siyu Chen

Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021 P.R. China

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Yingying Duan

Yingying Duan

Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021 P.R. China

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Xue Bai

Xue Bai

Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021 P.R. China

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Xiaoqin Xu

Xiaoqin Xu

Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021 P.R. China

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Xiaodi Niu

Corresponding Author

Xiaodi Niu

College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Zhenlu Wang

Corresponding Author

Zhenlu Wang

Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Jingqi Guan

Corresponding Author

Jingqi Guan

Institute of Physical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2519 Jiefang Road, Changchun, 130021 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 25 June 2025

Graphical Abstract

Using an ultra-fast printing technology, we have successfully embedded diatomic lanthanum sites onto a graphene framework, which shows excellent ORR performance. The La2-N6 configuration structure can effectively reduce the reaction barrier of RDS and promote effective charge transfer, thus enhancing the catalytic process, on which the intermediates and structural evolution were well uncovered by combining advanced characterizations and theoretical calculations.

Abstract

Rare earth lanthanum element has a large atomic radius, multi-shell orbital electrons, and Fenton-like reaction inertia, on which a localized high-coordination structure can be easily formed for the favorable adsorption of reaction intermediates. However, for single-atom lanthanum sites, due to the loss of all the outmost s and d electrons, the practically vacuous outmost orbitals are stable but sleepy for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, we synthesize a novel dual-atom La catalyst onto N-doped graphene (La2-NG) by a Joule ultrafast heating method, which shows a half-wave potential of 0.893 V for the ORR. The La2-NG-assembled zinc–air battery demonstrates a great open circuit voltage of 1.52 V and a maximal power density of 192 mW cm−2. Operando X-ray absorption spectra reveal the change of valence states of La and the dynamic structural evolution of the La2-N6 moiety embedded onto the graphene during the ORR, through which the adsorption/desorption of oxygen reduction intermediates can be reasonably regulated. Theoretical calculations further demonstrate that the La2-N6 structure can decrease the reaction energy barrier and promote charge transfer.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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