Spin Manipulation of Heterogeneous Molecular Electrocatalysts by an Integrated Magnetic Field for Efficient Oxygen Redox Reactions

Understanding the spin-dependent activity of nitrogen-coordinated single metal atom (M-N-C) electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER) remains challenging due to the lack of structure-defined catalysts and effective spin manipulation tools. Herein, both challenges using a magnetic field integrated heterogeneous molecular electrocatalyst prepared by anchoring cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) deposited carbon black on polymer-protected magnet nanoparticles, are addressed. The built-in magnetic field can shift the Co center from low- to high-spin (HS) state without atomic structure modification, affording one-order higher turnover frequency, a 50% increased H₂O₂ selectivity for ORR, and a ≈4000% magnetocurrent enhancement for OER. This catalyst can significantly minimize magnet usage, enabling safe and continuous production of a pure H₂O₂ solution for 100 h from a 100 cm² electrolyzer. The new strategy demonstrated here also applies to other metal phthalocyanine-based catalysts, offering a universal platform for studying spin-related electrochemical processes. © 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.