Redirecting configuration of atomically dispersed selenium catalytic sites for efficient hydrazine oxidation

Understanding the reconstruction of surface sites is crucial for gaining insights into the true active sites and catalytic mechanisms. While extensive research has been conducted on reconstruction behaviors of atomically dispersed metallic catalytic sites, limited attention has been paid to non-metallic ones despite their potential catalytic activity comparable or even superior to their noble-metal counterpart. Herein, we report a carbonaceous, atomically dispersed non-metallic selenium catalyst that displayed exceptional catalytic activity in the hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR) in alkaline media, outperforming the noble-metal Pt catalysts. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the pristine SeC site pre-adsorbs an ∗OH ligand, followed by HzOR occurring on the other side of the OH–SeC. Theoretical calculations proposed that the pre-adsorbed ∗OH group pulls electrons from the Se site, resulting in a more positively charged Se and a higher polarity of Se–C bonds, thereby enhancing surface reactivity toward HzO/R.