One-Step Electrodeposition of a Mesoporous Ni/Co-Imidazole-Based Bimetal-Organic Framework on Pyramid-like NiSb with Abundant Coupling Interfaces as an Ultra-Stable Heterostructural Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting

The exploration of highly efficient metal-organic framework (MOF)-based electrocatalysts is a research topic of high significance owing to their potential applications in sustainable and clean energy production. Herein, a mesoporous MOF containing Ni and Co nodes along with 2-methylimidazole (Hmim) ligands has been directly grown on the surface of the pyramid-like NiSb through a convenient cathodic electrodeposition strategy and evaluated as the catalyst for water splitting catalysis. Tailoring catalytically active sites through porous well-arranging architecture and the coupled interface offers a catalyst with exquisite performance that displays ultra-low Tafel constant of 33 and 42 mV dec-1 toward the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, sequentially, and also enhanced durability at high current densities over 150 h in a 1 M KOH medium. The success of the synthesized NiCo-MOF@NiSb@GB electrode is explained by the intimate contact between the NiCo-MOF and NiSb with well-tailored phase interfaces, the positive coupling effect between Ni and Co metal centers in the MOF, and the porous structure with abundant active sites toward electrocatalysis. Importantly, the present work provides a new technical reference for the electrochemical synthesis of heterostructural MOFs as a promising candidate for energy-related applications.