Bioinspired Iron- and Copper-incorporated Carbon Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

We report an Fe/Cu/N-doped carbon electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction to water. Pyrolysis of metal precursors supported on oxidized carbon black provides the electrocatalyst with high catalytic activity and selectivity. Detailed physical–chemical studies have revealed that the copresence of iron and copper catalytic sites in carbon in a 1:1 mole ratio, which is the same as that of an enzyme of cytochrome c oxidase, might be the key to synthesize highly active and selective electrocatalysts.