Advances in MOFs and their derivatives for non‑noble metal electrocatalysts in water splitting

Green hydrogen is generated by water electrolysis using renewable energy sources. For green hydrogen to become cost-effective in front of hydrogen production from fossil fuels, highly active, efficient, and durable electrocatalysts based on abundant and low-cost elements need to be developed. Great efforts have been invested in designing and engineering water-splitting electrocatalysts with optimized compositions and architecture. In this last direction, metal–organic framework (MOF) compounds have received particular attention on account of their high specific surface area (SSA) and excellent chemical stability. This work affords an overview of the latest progress in the design, engineering, and application of MOFs and their derivatives as electrocatalysts in water splitting. It further discusses the challenges encountered and the new research directions and application prospects. First, the characteristics and advantages of MOF electrocatalysts and the main mechanism of water electrolysis are introduced. Next, the research progress on the application of MOFs and their derivatives in water electrolysis is reviewed, with special emphasis on the preparation, modification, and catalytic activity of the catalysts. Finally, the present challenges and future development prospects of MOFs as water-splitting electrocatalysts are discussed. Overall, this review aims to provide new insights into the design and synthesis principles of MOF materials, promoting their practical application in water splitting, and further broadening their future uses.