Metal-Organic Framework Hexagonal Nanoplates: Bottom-up Synthesis, Topotactic Transformation, and Efficient Oxygen...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Catalysis

Background:

• Two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (2D MOFs) offer tunable properties for advanced applications.
• Controlling the morphology of 2D MOFs is crucial for optimizing their performance.
• Bottom-up synthesis guided by structural topology enables precise control over MOF architecture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a topology-guided bottom-up synthesis for novel hexagonal 2D MOF nanoplates.
• To investigate the influence of pyridine on MOF morphology.
• To create a N-doped Ni@carbon electrocatalyst from the synthesized MOFs for oxygen evolution reactions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a distorted (3,4)-connected Ni2(BDC)2(DABCO) framework as a template.
• Employed a substitution-suppression process involving pyridine to modulate morphology.
• Performed pyrolysis treatment to convert MOF nanoplates into N-doped Ni@carbon electrocatalysts.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized hexagonal 2D MOF nanoplates with controllable thickness.
• Demonstrated morphology transformation from nanorods to nanodisks and nanoplates.
• Achieved a low overpotential of 307 mV at 10 mA cm-2 for the oxygen evolution reaction using the N-doped Ni@carbon catalyst.

Conclusions:

• Topology-guided bottom-up synthesis is effective for creating 2D MOFs with specific morphologies.
• Pyridine plays a key role in controlling the nanostructure of the MOFs.
• The resulting N-doped Ni@carbon electrocatalyst shows promising performance for oxygen evolution reactions.