Water coordinated Co-MOFs with 1D/2D network structure and highly enhanced electrocatalytic OER activity

The versatility of metal coordination geometry and organic linkers is used to derive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with an intriguing network structure in the solid-state, exerting significant control over its functional application. In this study, we prepared Co-benzene dicarboxylic acid based MOFs with 1D and 2D network structures with similar coordination environment and studied their electrocatalytic OER activity in alkaline medium. The use of bidentate amines (2,2 & PRIME;-bipyridine and DABCO) controlled the dimensionality and produced water coordinated 1D (Co-MOF-1D) and 2D (Co-MOF-2D) network structures. Although both Co-MOFs showed strong electrocatalytic OER activity, Co-MOF-2D exhibited relatively strong OER activity (required overpotential (& eta;) of 211 mV to produce 10 mA cm(-2) current density) compared to Co-MOF-1D (& eta;(10) = 237 mV). Co-MOF-2D exhibited excellent stability with a low Tafel slope, charge transfer resistance, and high electrochemical surface area that further supported the enhanced OER activity.