Three new metal organic frameworks (ZnTIA-1mc, CuTIA-1mc, and CoTIA-1mc) were synthesized by the mechanochemical grinding (mc) method in the unadulterated form. They compared with their solvothermally synthesized (st) counterparts, where the mixtures of isomeric forms have been isolated. Kinetics study with the function of grinding time during the mechanosynthesis process revealed the formation of new metastable phases. Less crystallinity and short of mechanical defects in the structure of synthesized mc metal organic frameworks showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Among all, CoTIA-1mc showed high OER activity with 289 mV overpotential, 10 mA cm–2 current density, and 55.4 mV dec–1 Tafel slope in 1 M KOH which is close to the commercially used RuO2.

Proton conducting materials have been gaining significant attention due to their applicability as solid electrolytes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The confined architectural design and open space in...