Ferrocene-MOFs: Optimizing OER Kinetics for Water Splitting

Abstract

Optimizing the adsorption and desorption kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for efficient overall water splitting. Herein, we report a series of porous ferrocene-based metal–organic framework (MFc-MOF, M = Co, Ni, Fe, Mn) nanoflowers featuring a close π–π stacking lattice structure as model catalysts, and explore the structure–activity relationship. Operando electrochemical impedance spectroscopy implies that the synthesized CoFc-MOF@NF facilitates intermediate adsorption and desorption. It exhibits an ultralow overpotential of 189 mV at 10 mA cm^–2 and maintains stability for 250 h. In an overall water splitting device, when CoFc-MOF@NF serves as the anode, it yields a significantly lower cell voltage than commercial RuO₂ and shows excellent stability at 100 mA cm^–2 for 100 h. In situ Raman spectroscopy reveals that the CoFc-MOF@NF surface transforms into CoFeOOH, the OER-active species, while preserving the MOF framework. The inner MOF’s ferrocene units act as efficient electron-transfer mediators. These findings highlight CoFc-MOF@NF’s potential as a leading catalyst for sustainable water splitting hydrogen production, combining high catalytic activity, rapid kinetics, and robust stability. This work presents a new approach to balance activity and stability in MOF-based OER catalysts.