Metal–Organic Frameworks Based Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

In view of the clean and sustainable energy, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based materials, including pristine MOFs, MOF composites, and their derivatives are emerging as unique electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Thanks to their tunable compositions and diverse structures, efficient MOF‐based materials provide new opportunities to accelerate the sluggish ORR at the cathode in fuel cells and metal–air batteries. This Minireview first provides some introduction of ORR and MOFs, followed by the classification of MOF‐based electrocatalysts towards ORR. Recent breakthroughs in engineering MOF‐based ORR electrocatalysts are highlighted with an emphasis on synthesis strategy, component, morphology, structure, electrocatalytic performance, and reaction mechanism. Finally, some current challenges and future perspectives for MOF‐based ORR electrocatalysts are also discussed.

A Defect‐rich N, P Co‐doped Carbon Foam as Efficient Electrocatalyst toward Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…[5][6] In the last few decades, intensive research effort have been focused on finding alternatives with low cost, comparable activity and enhanced durability. [7][8][9][10][11] Among them, a new class of heteroatom-doping carbon-based catalysts has been welldeveloped. [12] To create active sites for oxygen intermediate chemisorption and further bond breaking, heteroatom doping, an effective and accessible strategy, modifies electronic and structural properties of carbons under mild conditions.…”

Non‐Noble‐Metal‐Based Electrocatalysts toward the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…As a result, energy conversion and storage technologies, such as water electrolysis which converts electric energies generated from solar and wind power into hydrogen fuels,4,5 rechargeable metal‐air batteries which possess exceptionally high energy density and exhibit low cost, environmental benignity, and safety,6,7 and reversible fuel cells (RFCs) which can also produce hydrogen fuel via electrochemical process,8 are hence greatly required to achieve a sustainable energy landscape. Governed by the electrochemical reactions, the advancement of those energy conversion and storage systems is significantly impeded by the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) 9–15. In particular, the OER, which can be applied to a wide range of energy conversion and storage technologies, serves as one of the most challenging conundrums and has attracted tremendous research attention in the past decades.…”

Two‐Dimensional MOF and COF Nanosheets: Synthesis and Applications in Electrochemistry

“…In recent years, high‐efficiency MOF/COF nanosheets have become ORR unique electrocatalysts due to their good crystal structure, diverse structures, and large‐volume adjustable porous structures. Their larger surface area and more accessible surface active sites make them easier to contact with substrate molecules at lower diffusion barriers, thereby improving the catalytic performance of two‐dimensional MOF/COF nanosheets . Using bottom‐up methods, Zhao et al.…”