In Situ Grown CoMn-Based Metal-Organic Framework on Nickel Foam as Efficient and Robust Electrodes for Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

It is of great significance to develop efficient and robust oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts based on inexpensive and earth-abundant materials to enable water splitting as a future renewable energy source. Herein, the in situ grown CoMn-MOF-74 on nickel foam and their use as active electrodes for high-performance water-oxidation catalysis are reported. In alkaline media, the binder-free 3D electrode shows superior OER activity with a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a small overpotential of 260 mV, a Tafel slope of 58.2 mV dec−1, as well as excellent stability, making it one of the most active OER catalysts. Such high performance is attributed to increased electrochemically-active areas, accelerated electron transport capability and the synergy between MOFs and Ni substrate. This work elucidates a promising electrode for electrochemical water oxidation and enriches direct application of MOF materials for future clean energy conversion and storage systems.