Recent advances in metal-organic frameworks derived electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the key reactions in electrochemical energy conversion systems such as fuel cells, and it is significant to develop stable, efficient, and low-cost ORR electrocatalysts for future large-scale application of fuel cells. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a kind of porous materials that combine organic and inorganic components through coordination bonds. Compared with the conventional MOFs, the MOFs-derived materials can not only retain the unique high specific surface area and high porosity of the precursors, but also improve the electrical conductivity and charge transfer, which are more suitable to be used as efficient ORR catalysts. The research on MOFs-derived electrocatalyst has been long-standing and chaotic, especially with its widespread application in the field of ORR for the past few years. Therefore, this article reviews the latest research progress in MOFs-derived ORR electrocatalysts in recent years, introduces the relevant mechanisms of ORR, and looks forward to the development prospects of MOFs-derived electrocatalysts for ORR.