Metal‐organic frameworks‐derived novel nanostructured electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

Engineering cost‐effective catalysts with exceptional performance for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains crucial for the accelerated development of renewable energy techniques, and especially so, given the pivotal role of OER in water electrolysis. On the basis of the metal nodes (clusters) and organic linkers, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives are rapidly gaining ground in the fabrication of electrocatalysts, with promising catalytic activity and sound durability in OER, thanks to their controllable pore structures, abundant unsaturated active sites of metal ion, extensive specific surface area, as well as easily functionalized/modified surfaces. This review presents an in‐depth understanding of the established progress of MOFs‐derived materials for OER electrocatalysis. The material designing strategies of the pristine, monometallic, and multimetallic MOFs‐based catalysts are summarized to indicate the infinite possibilities of the morphology and the composition of MOF‐derived materials. While emphasis is laid on the essential features of MOF‐derived materials for the electrocatalysis of the corresponding reactions, insights about the applications in OER are discussed. Finally, this paper is concluded by presenting challenges and perspectives for MOF‐derived materials’ future applications in OER electrocatalysis.

MOF-derived nanoarrays as advanced electrocatalysts for water splitting

“…In this regard, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with adjustable components and structures are regarded as ideal precursors and templates for the formation of advanced electrocatalysts for water splitting since the MOF precursors can be readily converted to the desired electrocatalytic materials with a regulable morphology, structure, and composition. 2,8,9 Furthermore, self-supported nanoarrays that are directly grown on conductive substrates without the use of polymer binders can promote charge/mass transfer and provide sufficient electrocatalytic active sites, which has been proved to considerably enhance the performance of the electrocatalysts. [10][11][12] It is noteworthy that MOF-derived nanoarrays are able to combine the merits of both MOF-derived materials and nanoarray structures, thus showing great potential for electrochemical water splitting.…”

“…[10][11][12] It is noteworthy that MOF-derived nanoarrays are able to combine the merits of both MOF-derived materials and nanoarray structures, thus showing great potential for electrochemical water splitting. To date, there have been some reviews on MOF-derived electrocatalysts 2,5,8,9,[13][14][15][16][17][18] and self-supported nanoarray electrocatalysts. 11,12,[19][20][21] However, none of them have specially focused on MOF-derived nanoarrays for electrocatalytic water splitting processes.…”

Two‐in‐one shell configuration for bimetal selenides toward fast sodium storage within broadened voltage windows

“…Structural engineering is one of the most effective strategies to improve the sodium storage performance of electrode materials. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] For example, the design of a functional carbon shell could lead to good electrochemical performance by suppressing volume expansion, enhancing electricity, and preventing dissolution for a variety of conversion-type electrode materials, such as S, CoO, Cu 2 S, Sn, and so forth. [24][25][26][27] As shown in Figure 1A, this strategy, however, pays little attention to the reaction kinetics; for example, the pathways of Na + ions in the disordered structure of amorphous carbon layers are rarely mentioned, even though the sodiation/desodiation of Na + ions might be retarded by them.…”

“…Structural engineering is one of the most effective strategies to improve the sodium storage performance of electrode materials 17–23 . For example, the design of a functional carbon shell could lead to good electrochemical performance by suppressing volume expansion, enhancing electricity, and preventing dissolution for a variety of conversion‐type electrode materials, such as S, CoO, Cu 2 S, Sn, and so forth 24–27 .…”

Synthesis of NiSe2/Fe3O4 Nanotubes with Heteroepitaxy Configuration as a High‐Efficient Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalyst

“…[22][23][24] Therefore, a rational design of specific nanostructures for the transition metal-based electrocatalysts is imperative to effectively promote their electrocatalytic OER performance.As we know, the catalytic performance is closely related to both the surface and bulk properties of a catalyst, where the former includes the intrinsic activity of the catalytically active sites and their accessible amount, while the latter mainly means the electron conductivity. [25][26][27] Compared with solid electrocatalysts, the ones with hollow nanostructures have exhibited desirable advantages in electrocatalytic OER. [28] This is because the hollow nanostructures can provide much more channels and pores, which can not only promote the mass transfer but also facilitate the adsorption of reactants and intermediates generated in the electrocatalytic process on their greater exposure of active sites.…”