A Phosphorus‐Bridged Spin Trigger for Oxygen Reduction

W Wu Wang (Department of Physics) X Xiaoyang Cheng (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen P. R. China) H Hong‐Guan Li (School of Metallurgy Northeastern University Shenyang P. R. China) M Min‐Le Li (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen P. R. China) L Long Chen (Department of Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry) J Jian Yang Y Yan‐Xia Jiang (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen P. R. China) R Rui Huang (School of Chemistry) S Shi‐Gang Sun (State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen P. R. China)

Abstract

Abstract Precise control over the spin degree of freedom of catalytic metal centers represents a significant challenge in enhancing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this work, we report a phosphorus(P)‐bridged composite comprising Fe single atoms (SAs) and atomic clusters (ACs), Fe SA/AC /PNC, wherein the Fe SA ‐P‐Fe AC structure functions as an efficient electron channel and, more importantly, a spin trigger. This trigger induces a spin‐state transition of Fe II from low‐spin (S = 0) to medium‐spin (S = 1), as unequivocally deciphered by advanced spectroscopic and magnetic analyses. This spin‐state reconstruction directly optimizes the reaction pathway by enhancing O 2 adsorption and facilitating *OH desorption. The resulting catalyst exhibits exceptional oxygen reduction activity in both acidic and neutral media, with half‐wave potentials of 0.852 and 0.831 V, respectively, and achieves a peak power density of 1.35 W cm −2 in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). This strategy is universally effective for Co and Ni systems, establishing spin‐state engineering as a general principle for designing high‐performance non‐precious metal catalysts.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 65, Issue 5
Published January 28, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (9)

W

Wu Wang

Department of Physics

X

Xiaoyang Cheng

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen P. R. China

H

Hong‐Guan Li

School of Metallurgy Northeastern University Shenyang P. R. China

M

Min‐Le Li

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen P. R. China

L

Long Chen

Department of Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry

J

Jian Yang

Y

Yan‐Xia Jiang

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen P. R. China

R

Rui Huang

School of Chemistry

S

Shi‐Gang Sun

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Xiamen University Xiamen P. R. China