Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets: Synthesis and Applications in Electrocatalysis and Photocatalysis

Two-dimensional metal-organic nanosheets (2D MONs) are an emerging class of ultrathin, porous, and crystalline materials. The organic/inorganic hybrid nature offers MONs distinct advantages over other inorganic nanosheets in terms of diversity of organic ligands and metal notes. Compared to bulk three-dimensional metal-organic frameworks, 2D MONs possess merits of high density and readily accessible catalytic sites, reduced diffusion pathways for reactants/products, and fast electron transport. These features endow MONs with enhanced physical/chemical properties and are ideal for heterogeneous catalysis. In this Review, state-of-the-art synthetic methods for the fabrication of 2D MONs were summarized. The advances of 2D MONs-based materials for electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), and electro-/photocatalytic organic transformations were systematically discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives regarding future design and synthesis of 2D MONs for high-performance electrocatalysis and photocatalysis were provided.