Two CoIIMetal-Organic Frameworks Based on a Multicarboxylate Ligand as Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting

Metal-Organic Frameworks and Metal-Organic Gels for Oxygen Electrocatalysis: Structural and Compositional Considerations

Increasing demand for sustainable and clean energy is calling for the next-generation energy conversion and storage technologies such as fuel cells, water electrolyzers, CO₂ /N₂ reduction electrolyzers, metal-air batteries, etc. All these electrochemical processes involve oxygen electrocatalysis. Boosting the intrinsic activity and the active-site density through rational design of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and metal-organic gels (MOGs) as precursors represents a new approach toward improving oxygen electrocatalysis efficiency. MOFs/MOGs afford a broad selection of combinations between metal nodes and organic linkers and are known to produce electrocatalysts with high surface areas, variable porosity, and excellent activity after pyrolysis. Some recent studies on MOFs/MOGs for oxygen electrocatalysis and their new perspectives in synthesis, characterization, and performance are discussed. New insights on the structural and compositional design in MOF/MOG-derived oxygen electrocatalysts are summarized. Critical challenges and future research directions are also outlined.

Cobalt Metal-Organic Framework Based on Layered Double Nanosheets for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation in Neutral Media

A new cobalt metal-organic framework (2D-Co-MOF) based on well-defined layered double cores that are strongly connected by intermolecular bonds has been developed. Its 3D structure is held together by π-π stacking interactions between the labile pyridine ligands of the nanosheets. In aqueous solution, the axial pyridine ligands are exchanged by water molecules, producing a delamination of the material, where the individual double nanosheets preserve their structure. The original 3D layered structure can be restored by a solvothermal process with pyridine, so that the material shows a "memory effect" during the delamination-pillarization process. Electrochemical activation of a 2D-Co-MOF@Nafion-modified graphite electrode in aqueous solution improves the ionic migration and electron transfer across the film and promotes the formation of the electrocatalytically active cobalt species for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The so-activated 2D-Co-MOF@Nafion composite exhibits an outstanding electrocatalytic performance for the OER at neutral pH, with a TOF value (0.034 s^-1 at an overpotential of 400 mV) and robustness superior to those reported for similar electrocatalysts under similar conditions. The particular topology of the delaminated nanosheets, with quite distant cobalt centers, precludes the direct coupling between the electrocatalytically active centers of the same sheet. On the other hand, the increase in ionic migration across the film during the electrochemical activation stage rules out the intersheet coupling between active cobalt centers, as this scenario would impair electrolyte permeation. Altogether, the most plausible mechanism for the O-O bond formation is the water nucleophilic attack to single Co(IV)-oxo or Co(III)-oxyl centers. Its high electrochemical efficiency suggests that the presence of nitrogen-containing aromatic equatorial ligands facilitates the water nucleophilic attack, as in the case of the highly efficient cobalt porphyrins.

Coordination polymers as heterogeneous catalysts in hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions

This article highlights various strategies of designing coordination polymers for catalysing water splitting reactions.

Evolution of metal organic frameworks as electrocatalysts for water oxidation

The development of metal organic framework based water oxidation catalysts is discussed here in connection with various design strategies.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Photoelectrochemical Catalytic Studies of a Water-Stable Zinc-Based Metal-Organic Framework

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are class of porous materials that can be assembled in a modular manner by using different metal ions and organic linkers. Owing to their tunable structural properties, these materials are found to be useful for gas storage and separation technologies, as well as for catalytic applications. A cost-effective zinc-based MOF ([Zn(bpcda)(bdc)]_n ) is prepared by using N,N'-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)cyclohexane-1,4-diamine [N,N'-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)cyclohexane-1,4-diamine] and benzenedicarboxylic acid (bdc) linkers. This new material exhibits remarkable photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalytic activity in water splitting for the evolution of oxygen. Notably, this non-noble metal-based MOF, without requiring immobilization on other supports or containing metal particles, produced a highest photocurrent density of 31 μA cm^-2 at 0.9 V, with appreciable stability and negligible photocorrosion. Advantageously for the oxygen evolution process, no external reagents or sacrificial agents are required in the aqueous electrolyte solution.

Improved conductivity of a new Co(ii)-MOF by assembled acetylene black for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) incorporating different metal nanoparticles or conductive additives are expected to possess desirable catalytic performance.

Surface-supported metal–organic framework thin films: fabrication methods, applications, and challenges

Surface-supported metal–organic framework thin films are receiving increasing attention as a novel form of nanotechnology, which hold great promise for photovoltaics, electronic devices, CO₂ reduction, energy storage, water splitting and membranes.

Perspectives on metal–organic frameworks with intrinsic electrocatalytic activity

This highlight article focuses on the rapidly emerging area of electrocatalytic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with a particular emphasis on those systems displaying intrinsic activity.

Metal–organic frameworks based on rigid ligands as separator membranes in supercapacitor

Two MOFs are used as separator membranes in a supercapacitor, and after a charge–discharge experiment the separator membrane of the Co compound becomes more porous.

Metal(II) complexes synthesized based on quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylate as electrocatalysts for the degradation of methyl orange

Based on quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (H2L), two metal(II) complexes formulated as MnL(phen)(H2O)·H2O (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) (1) and Co(HL)2(PPA)·4H2O (PPA = N(1),N(4)-di(pyridin-4-yl)terephthalamide) (2) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both complexes 1 and 2 exhibit one-dimensional (1D) chain-like structures, in which stable five-membered rings are observed. Different chains are linked by strong π-π stacking interactions into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture. Both complexes can increase the degradation rate of methyl orange (MO), which is expected to be associated with their electrocatalytic activities for the H2 evolution reaction from water.

Metal–organic frameworks based on 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2,4,4-terpyridine: structures, topologies and electrocatalytic behaviors in sodium laurylsulfonate aqueous solution

Two isostructural MOFs show better solubilities in SDS solution than water, and they show different electrocatalytic behaviors for the HER in SDS solution.

A polyoxometalate-based complex with visible-light photochromism as the electrocatalyst for generating hydrogen from water

A polyoxometalate-based complex can act as the electrocatalyst for the H₂ evolution reaction (HER) and the HER current is enhanced with visible-light irradiation.

Metal(ii) complexes based on 4-(2,6-di(pyridin-4-yl)pyridin-4-yl)benzonitrile: structures and electrocatalysis in hydrogen evolution reaction from water

Based onL, three metal(ii)-complexes shows different electrocatalytic activities in HER from water.