Recent research advances in metal–organic framework-based electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting

Abstract

Serious environmental pollution and the energy disaster are two of the major global challenges today. To ensure a clean and sustainable future, alternative renewable energy sources are needed to replace the globally depleting fossil fuels. Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising technology, and a way to produce green hydrogen fuel without generating pollution. However, the key to the success of this process is the realization of stable earth-abundant electrocatalysts and price-effective reaction paths that can catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode, with high activity and stability. Nevertheless, its electrocatalysts suffer from inefficiency. In recent years, metal–organic framework (MOF)-based electrocatalysts and their derivatives, with their merits of high surface area, tunable porosity and diverse structural properties, have served as valuable electrocatalysts for high activity electrocatalytic water electrolysis. Herein, we have succinctly explained the main mechanism of electrocatalytic water splitting along with useful design and fabrication strategies of MOF systems as well as the challenges faced. Furthermore, we have presented the latest research advances and electrochemical property enhancement strategies for MOF-based electrocatalysts and their derivatives towards efficient HER and OER activities. Finally, the current challenges and the perspectives for future investigation directions for the advancement of superior MOF-based electrocatalysts are also discussed.