Electrosynthesis\nof Well-Defined Metal–Organic Framework Films and the Carbon\nNanotube Network Derived from Them toward Electrocatalytic Applications

Abstract

An efficient and\ncontrollable method to synthesize continuous metal–organic\nframework (MOF) films is highly desired. Herein, we demonstrate a\nfacile and universal electrochemical method to synthesize homogeneous\nand uniform zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF, a typical class of\nMOF family) films on various macroconductive substrates (e.g., conductive glass,\nNi foam and carbon cloth) as well as nanostructured substrates (one-dimensional\nnanorod array, two-dimensional nanowall array, and three-dimensional\nnanoframework). Particularly, the MOF film can be easily transformed\ninto hierarchical ordered carbon nanotube networks, which display\nmultifunctional electrocatalytic performances, such as excellent activity\nand good long-term stability in overall water splitting and oxygen\nreduction. It is worth mentioning that this is the first reported\nwork for electrosynthesis of ZIF films on various conductive substrates,\nillustrating the great potential of the fast and economical method\nfor constructing functional and integrated films or electrodes toward\nenergy-related applications.