Preparation of electrocatalysts often relies on the use of multiple starting materials, with examples arising from a single precursor being less common. We have surveyed a series of heterobivalent scaffolds to identify an iron/benzimidazole-based metal–organic framework as a uniform starting material. By merging the catechol and imidazole units together, we get a direct entry into a highly efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst, which alleviates the need for dopants and modifying conditions. We demonstrate that by fine-tuning the chemical nature of an organic linker, one is able to modulate the electrochemical properties of a single precursor-derived electrocatalyst material.

<div> <div> <div> <p>Preparation of electrocatalysts often relies on the use of multiple starting materials – inorganic salts or organometallic precursors, nanostructured carbon supports, organic additives, dopants and carbonization under modifying atmospheres (e.g. NH₃or H₂) – with the examples of electrocatalysts arising from a single precursor being much less common. Herein, we have surveyed a series of heterobivalent scaffolds to identify an iron/benzimidazole-based metal– organic framework as a uniform starting material. By merging the catechol and imidazole units together, we get direct entry into a highly efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst, which alleviates the need for additional dopants and modifying conditions (ORR: <i>E</i>_on = 1.01 V, <i>E</i>_1/2 = 0.87 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M KOH; OER: 1.60 V @10 mA cm^–2 in 0.1 M KOH; ∆<i>E</i> = 0.73 V). We demonstrate that by fine-tuning the chemical nature of an organic linker, one is able modulate the electrochemical properties of a single precursor-derived electrocatalyst material. </p> </div> </div> </div>

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<div> <div> <div> <p>Preparation of electrocatalysts often relies on the use of multiple starting materials – inorganic salts or organometallic precursors, nanostructured carbon supports, organic additives, dopants and carbonization under modifying atmospheres (e.g. NH₃or H₂) – with the examples of electrocatalysts arising from a single precursor being much less common. Herein, we have surveyed a series of heterobivalent scaffolds to identify an iron/benzimidazole-based metal– organic framework as a uniform starting material. By merging the catechol and imidazole units together, we get direct entry into a highly efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst, which alleviates the need for additional dopants and modifying conditions (ORR: <i>E</i>_on = 1.01 V, <i>E</i>_1/2 = 0.87 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M KOH; OER: 1.60 V @10 mA cm^–2 in 0.1 M KOH; ∆<i>E</i> = 0.73 V). We demonstrate that by fine-tuning the chemical nature of an organic linker, one is able modulate the electrochemical properties of a single precursor-derived electrocatalyst material. </p> </div> </div> </div>

<div> <div> <div> <p>Preparation of electrocatalysts often relies on the use of multiple starting materials – inorganic salts or organometallic precursors, nanostructured carbon supports, organic additives, dopants and carbonization under modifying atmospheres (e.g. NH₃or H₂) – with the examples of electrocatalysts arising from a single precursor being much less common. Herein, we have surveyed a series of heterobivalent scaffolds to identify an iron/benzimidazole-based metal– organic framework as a uniform starting material. By merging the catechol and imidazole units together, we get direct entry into a highly efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst, which alleviates the need for additional dopants and modifying conditions (ORR: <i>E</i>_on = 1.01 V, <i>E</i>_1/2 = 0.87 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M KOH; OER: 1.60 V @10 mA cm^–2 in 0.1 M KOH; ∆<i>E</i> = 0.73 V). We demonstrate that by fine-tuning the chemical nature of an organic linker, one is able modulate the electrochemical properties of a single precursor-derived electrocatalyst material. </p> </div> </div> </div>