Construction of One-Dimensional Covalent-Organic Framework Coordinated with Main Group Metals for Selective...

Covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) are promising electrocatalysts for the selective synthesis of H₂O₂ through the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e^- ORR). However, the design and synthesis of efficient and stable COF-based electrocatalysts is still challenging. In this work, a predesigned 1,10-phenanthroline-based one-dimensional COF (PYTA-PTDE-COF) was constructed to anchor main group metal (In, Sn, and Sb) as electrocatalysts toward 2e^- ORR. The catalysts are featured with fully exposed metalated side chains. Structural characterization revealed that PYTA-PTDE-M's (M = In, Sn, and Sb) are all quite similar, except for the coordinated metal ions with the maintenance of good crystallinity. They all exhibited satisfying activity and selectivity toward 2e^- ORR under alkaline conditions. Among them, PYTA-PTDE-Sb exhibited the best performance (E_onset is 0.765 V, the H₂O₂ selectivity is 96%, and the yield rate is 209.2 mmol g_cat^-1 h^-1). Moreover, it also delivered superior stability with almost no attenuation of current density during the long-time test. Theoretical calculations revealed that the Sb metal site in the COFs has the lowest adsorption strength of *OOH, which could be the main reason for its superior selectivity. The PYTA-PTDE-Sb assembled zinc-air battery realizes not only the supply of clean energy but also the production of green chemicals, showing it is highly promising in practical applications. This work offers an example for designing main group metal-coordinated 1D COFs and reveals fundamental structure-activity relationship toward 2e^- ORR.