Physics

Electron

Nanotechnology

Electrode

Electrocatalyst

Atom (system on chip)

Composite number

Geodesy

Faraday efficiency

Coupling (piping)

Catalysis

Carbon fibers

Physical chemistry

Embedded system

Atomic orbital

Chemical physics

Composite material

Geography

Linear scale

Chemistry

Metallurgy

Materials science

Computer science

Quantum mechanics

Electrochemistry

Biochemistry

Antibonding molecular orbital

ACS Energy Letters

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) provides an attractive pathway to achieve a carbon-neutral energy cycle. Single-atom catalysts (SAC) have shown unique potential in heterogeneous catalysis, but their structural simplicity prevents them from breaking linear scaling relationships. In this study, we develop a feasible strategy to precisely construct a series of electrocatalysts featuring well-defined single-atom and dual-site iron anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (Fe1–N–C and Fe2–N–C). The Fe2–N–C dual-atom electrocatalyst (DAC) achieves enhanced CO Faradaic efficiency above 80% in wider applied potential ranges along with higher turnover frequency (26,637 h–1) and better durability compared to SAC counterparts. Furthermore, based on in-depth experimental and theoretical analysis, the orbital coupling between the iron dual sites decreases the energy gap between antibonding and bonding states in *CO adsorption. This research presents new insights into the structure–performance relationship on CO2RR electrocatalysts at the atomic scale and extends the application of DACs for heterogeneous electrocatalysis and beyond.

Precisely Constructing Orbital Coupling-Modulated Dual-Atom Fe Pair Sites for Synergistic CO<sub>2</sub> Electroreduction

Precisely Constructing Orbital Coupling-Modulated Dual-Atom Fe Pair Sites for Synergistic CO2 Electroreduction

Precisely Constructing Orbital Coupling-Modulated Dual-Atom Fe Pair Sites for Synergistic CO₂ Electroreduction