MOF-Based Electrocatalysts: An Overview from the Perspective of Structural Design

Abstract

The electrocatalytic technique, as an efficient energy storage and conversion technology, has attracted significant attention to address energy exhaustion and environmental pollution. Usually, the activity and selectivity of electrocatalytic reactions are largely dominated by the dynamic process occurring on electrocatalysts. Therefore, high-performance electrocatalysts, which can dominate the pathway and energy barrier of reactions, are of great significance for the advancement of the electrocatalytic technique. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as emerging crystalline porous materials, present structural and component advantages including well-defined structure, high surface area, large porosity, diverse components, and easy tailorability, demonstrating fantastic potential for the precise fabrication of electrocatalysts. In this Review, the emerging strategies in the precise fabrication of electrocatalysts based on MOF-related materials are specifically introduced from the aspects of catalytic site design and microenvironment modulation around catalytic sites. Furthermore, representative progress achieved in various electrocatalytic applications employing MOF-based electrocatalysts is systematically summarized, with special emphasis on the structural design of MOFs for catalytic performance optimization. Finally, the remaining challenges and future perspectives of MOF-based electrocatalysts are further highlighted.