Directly application of bimetallic 2D-MOF for advanced electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

The development of non-noble oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts with low energy consumption and cost is imperative to produce hydrogen energy from water splitting and enlarge its application. Two-dimensional (2D) metal organic frameworks (MOF) and their derivatives are widely regarded as promising electrocatalysts (EC) for OER due to its unique structural characteristics. Here, by optimizing the molar ratio of Ni to Co, bimetal 2-methylimidazole based 2D-MOF is synthesized and its derivatives are also obtained by phosphorization or oxidation. OER measurements prove that the original MOF structure with 5% Ni/Co molar ratio shows excellent activity with 310 mV overpotential (ƞ) at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH solution for OER, as well as a fairly good electrochemical stability rather than their oxidation or phosphorus derivatives. This work introduces a facile method to prepare bimetal imidazole-based 2D-MOF directly applied in energy conversion field without transformation, making a contribution for opening a new window of widely application of 2D-MOF and improving the hydrogen production efficiency from water splitting.