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Transition metal- and N-codoped carbon catalysts with low cost are latent substitutes to Pt-based catalysts in oxygen reduction reaction. However, the variety of N species obtained by pyrolysis often makes the determination of the active site controversial. Here, we design catalyst structures with pyrrolic-N anchored dual metal centers, while the presence of pyrrolic-N avoids the complex and variable structure of the active sites. Theory calculations demonstrate that coupling of the Cu–N 4 single-atom sites is favorable to reduce the reaction energy barrier of pyrrolic-N-type Fe–N 4 active site during the reaction process. Subsequently, the high-purity pyrrolic-N-type iron and copper single-atom catalyst is successfully synthesized to verify the hypothesis. The obtained FeCu–N–C catalyst achieves a half-wave potential of 0.913 V, higher than the 0.839 V of Pt/C. This route may provide new insights for regulating catalytic active sites in high purity pyrrolic-N type catalysts. The introduction of Cu single-atom optimizes the pyrrolic-N-type Fe–N 4 active site of the FeCu–N–C, endowing the catalyst with remarkable ORR activity (E 1/2 = 0.913 V). [Display omitted] • A pyrrolic-N anchors dual metal centers structure is designed. • DFT calculations demonstrate Cu doping can improve the ORR activity of iron sites. • Catalysts with high purity pyrrolic-N are prepared to prove the DFT calculations. • The half-wave potential of the obtained FeCu–N catalyst reaches 0.913 V. • This strategy provides new insights for regulating active sites of ORR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate adsorption strength and modes of intermediates on catalysts and the reaction kinetic energy barrier directly determine the selectivity and productivity of final products during CO 2 electroreduction. This work systematically reveals the mechanisms for enhanced CO 2 electroreduction on nitrogen-doped Cu 2 O (N-Cu 2 O) catalyst by in-situ surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and theoretical calculation. The introduction of N into Cu 2 O can significantly enhance the CO 2 adsorption capacity, binding strength of key intermediates and increase the local pH value, resulting in two-fold enhancement of CO and C 2 H 4 production as compared to bare Cu 2 O. Meanwhile, the protonation step is promoted, making the formation of COOH· quickly and earlier. Therefore, the adsorbed CO 2 ·- intermediate formation is produced more rapidly, and the rate-determining step is transferred, continually facilitating the electroreduction of CO 2. This study is inspiring in designing high-performance electrocatalysts for CO 2 reduction. [Display omitted] • A facile and fruitful strategy is proposed to prepare superior CO 2 RR catalysts. • N-Cu 2 O catalyst delivers an improvement for C 2 product production. • The reaction mechanism on Cu 2 O and N-Cu 2 O catalysts are revealed. • The function of N doping is profoundly analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]