Fine tuning of supported covalent organic framework with molecular active sites loaded as efficient electrocatalyst for water oxidation

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with internal fixation of molecular active sites provide unprecedent high atom utilization and selectivity in various electrocatalysis. So far, it is still big challenge to exploit their fine tuning to enhance the catalytic performance and have insight into their advantages. In this paper, we report an ideal platform construed by COFs and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to illustrate key factors in COFbased electrocatalysts towards oxygen evolution. Fine tuning of COF layers reveals the optimized catalytic performance relies on the proper loadings of molecular catalyst on MWCNTs to balance the mass and electron transfer. Moreover, a novel strategy of diluting the active sites to enhance their intrinsic activity is proposed to further enhance the electrocatalytic performance. The generality of the fine regulation is fully demonstrated with different COFs. This work elucidates the fine tuning of COF-based electrocatalysts and sheds light on the broad applications of molecular catalysts.

Automated summary

This paper reports an ideal platform constructed by COFs and MWCNTs to illustrate key factors in COF-based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution. Fine tuning of COF layers reveals that optimized catalytic performance relies on proper loading of molecular catalysts and a novel strategy of diluting active sites is proposed to enhance intrinsic activity. The generality of fine regulation is fully demonstrated with different COFs, shedding light on the broad applications of molecular catalysts.