Fig. 1: Preparation and structural characterization of I-NC catalyst.

a Schematic illustration of the preparation of atomically dispersed I-doped nitrogen-carbon catalyst (denoted as I-NC). The yellow sphere represents the largest van der Waals sphere that would fit in the cavity. b, c A high-resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) image of I-NC. Yellow circles indicate single iodine atoms. d 3D atom-overlapping Gaussian-function fitting map of a region in inset (c). e Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mappings (C, N, I, and Zn) of I-NC.