Atomically dispersed Fe sites catalyze efficient CO electroreduction to CO.

Currently, the most active electrocatalysts for the conversion of CO to CO are gold-based nanomaterials, whereas non-precious metal catalysts have shown low to modest activity. Here, we report a catalyst of dispersed single-atom iron sites that produces CO at an overpotential as low as 80 millivolts. Partial current density reaches 94 milliamperes per square centimeter at an overpotential of 340 millivolts. Operando x-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed the active sites to be discrete Fe ions, coordinated to pyrrolic nitrogen (N) atoms of the N-doped carbon support, that maintain their +3 oxidation state during electrocatalysis, probably through electronic coupling to the conductive carbon support. Electrochemical data suggest that the Fe sites derive their superior activity from faster CO adsorption and weaker CO absorption than that of conventional Fe sites.