Exposing unsaturated Cu<sub>1</sub>-O<sub>2</sub> sites in nanoscale Cu-MOF for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 33910899.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abg2580 and PMC identifier 8081372.
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Abstract
Conductive metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have been recently considered as effective electrocatalysts. However, they usually suffer from two major drawbacks, poor electrochemical stability and low electrocatalytic activity in bulk form. Here, we have developed a rational strategy to fabricate a promising electrocatalyst composed of a nanoscale conductive copper-based MOF (Cu-MOF) layer fully supported over synergetic iron hydr(oxy)oxide [Fe(OH) <i><sub>x</sub></i> ] nanoboxes. Owing to the highly exposed active centers, enhanced charge transfer, and robust hollow nanostructure, the obtained Fe(OH) <i><sub>x</sub></i> @Cu-MOF nanoboxes exhibit superior activity and stability for the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Specifically, it needs an overpotential of 112 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm<sup>-2</sup> with a small Tafel slope of 76 mV dec<sup>-1</sup> X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy combined with density functional theory calculations unravels that the highly exposed coordinatively unsaturated Cu<sub>1</sub>-O<sub>2</sub> centers could effectively accelerate the formation of key *H intermediates toward fast HER kinetics.