Metal–Organic Frameworks Derived Interconnected Bimetallic Metaphosphate Nanoarrays for Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2020-06, Vol.30 (25), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Li, Yuzhi, Wang, Zheng, Hu, Jing, Li, Siwei, Du, Yunchen, Han, Xijiang, Xu, Ping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: bimetallic metaphosphate; Bimetals; Clean energy; Current density; Density functional theory; Doping; electrocatalysis; Electrocatalysts; Energy conversion; Energy storage; Energy technology; interconnected nanoarrays; Materials science; Metal-organic frameworks; Morphology; Nanoparticles; Nickel; oxygen evolution reaction; Oxygen evolution reactions; Water splitting; Zeolites
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201910498

The development of low‐cost, high‐performance, and stable electrocatalysts for the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water splitting is essential for renewable and clean energy technologies. Herein, the interconnected nanoarrays consisting of Co–Ni bimetallic metaphosphate nanoparticles embedded in a carbon matrix (Co2−xNixP4O12‐C) are fabricated through a mild phosphorylating process of cobalt–nickel zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (CoNi‐ZIF). Density functional theory calculations reveal moderate adsorption of oxygenated intermediates on the doping Ni site, and current density simulations imply homogeneous and higher current density due to the morphology integrity of the interconnected metaphosphate nanoarrays. As a consequence, the optimized Co1.6Ni0.4P4O12‐C affords a superior OER activity (η = 230 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and long‐term stability in alkaline media (1 m KOH) that are comparable to most reported catalysts. The strategy for balancing the doping effect and morphology effect provides a new perspective when designing and developing highly efficient electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage applications. Metal–organic frameworks‐derived interconnected nanoarrays of cobalt–nickel bimetallic metaphosphate nanoparticles embedded in carbon matrix (Co2−xNixP4O12‐C) are highly efficient for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution. This work strongly suggests balancing the doping effect and morphology effect when designing and developing highly efficient electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage applications.