One-Pot Crystallization of 2D and 3D Cobalt-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their High-Performance Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution

Developing highly competent and low-cost earth-plentiful metal-based oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is critical for future electrochemical conversion technologies and renewable energy systems. Herein, two cobalt-based metal–organic frameworks (Co-MOFs), [Co6(btc)2(DMF)6(HCOO)6] (2D, MOF 1) and [Co3(CHOO)9{DMA}3] (3D, MOF 2), where btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide, and DMA = dimethylamine, have been crystallized under hydrothermal conditions, from a single reaction. MOF 1 shows an extraordinary OER performance with 175 mV overpotential to attain 10 mA cm–2 current density with a low Tafel slope value of 80 mV dec–1, whereas MOF 2 achieves 10 mA cm–2 current density at 389 mV overpotential. Two different architecture-based MOFs have been synthesized from a single solution for the very first time. Also, the OER activity of MOF 1 overpowers the commercially used RuO2 and surpasses most of the reported OER electrocatalysts. Post OER characterization of MOF 1 revealed the in situ formation of Co(OH)2 and CoOOH, acting as active sites for the OER process.