MOF/PCP-based Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the fundamental reaction at the cathode of a fuel cell. Although the commercial precious metal catalyst Pt/C has unique catalytic activity, its high cost, low storage capacity and poor stability limit the commercial application of fuel cells. Therefore, it is essential to explore catalysts with abundant functional materials and develop fuel cells with high activity and high stability. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) or porous coordination polymers (PCPs) are highly designable structures composed of organic ligands and metal ions. Because of their large specific surface area, high porosity and tunable chemical structure, MOFs/PCPs are considered the most promising catalytic material for the ORR. This review discusses the research progress and latest development of MOF/PCP applications as ORR catalysts, including the basic principles and the design rules of MOFs/PCPs as ORR catalysts. In addition, this work also elaborates on the active sites of ORR catalysts, which originate from the MOFs/PCPs. Ultimately, we present a research review of the last 5 years and the prospects in the field of using MOFs/PCPs for the fabrication of ORR catalysts.Graphical abstract