A highly active hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrode with low Pt loading on glassy carbon (GC) has been prepared by anodic platinum dissolution and co-deposition of polyoxometalates. TEM, EDS, XPS, CV, and ICP-MS analyses gave a Pt loading of 50-100 ng/cm2, corresponding to a Pt coverage of only 0.08-0.16 monolayer. With an overpotential of 65 mV at 20 mA/cm2, the modified GC has a HER activity comparable to that of the commercial Pt working electrode.

The 2,2'-bipyridyl moieties lining the channels of two designer metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), UiO-bpydc and Eu-bpydc (bpydc is 2,2'-bipyridine 5,5'-dicarboxylic acid), recognize and pre-concentrate metal ion analytes and, in the case of Eu-bpydc, transfer energy to the Eu(3+) centers, to provide highly sensitive luminescence sensors for transition metal ions.

Hierarchical structures of porous Cu/Zn@C materials via pyrolysis of Zn–Cu-BTC metal–organic frameworks give stable activity in the reverse water gas shift reaction, thanks to stabilization of the nanoparticles by carbon encapsulation.