Fig. 1
The cascade anchoring strategy for the synthesis of M–NC SACs. First, chelating agent (glucose) efficiently sequesters metal ions and binds to O-rich carbon support, while excessive glucoses physically isolate glucose–metal complexes on carbon substrate. Second, the chelated metal complexes further secure metal atoms via the decomposed residues up to certain temperature. Third, CNx species decomposed from melamine at higher temperature subsequently capture metal atoms to form M–Nx moieties and integrate into the pyrolyzed carbon layer
