Cobalt–organic framework as a Bi–functional electrocatalyst for renewable hydrogen production by electrochemical water splitting

Abstract

Sustainable hydrogen production by electrocatalytic water splitting is an attractive approach to establish a carbon–free future. On the other hand, the operationalization of this technology on a large scale requires the design and synthesis of efficient electrocatalysts to promote hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have provided new opportunities in the field of electrocatalytic water splitting due to their unique properties. Herein, we report an affordable, simple, and environmentally friendly strategy for the synthesis of Co3(BTC)2 MOF electrocatalyst in distilled water at room temperature. Surprisingly, Co3(BTC)2 demonstrated superior electrocatalytic activity toward HER and OER in alkaline media. The Co3(BTC)2 requires overpotentials of 450 and 370mV for HER and OER to achieve a current density of 10mA cm−2, respectively.