Rufigallol-based 2D metal-organic frameworks as bifunctional electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn-air batteries.

Abstract

Multivariate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hold substantial promise for electrocatalytic applications due to their multifunctionality, high tailorability, and readily accessible precursors. However, it is difficult to precisely control the electrocatalysis selectivity, which usually requires arranging different ligands in an ordered manner. Herein, we report a series of 2D MOFs based on rufigallol, whose ligand can provide two different coordination environments for metal centers, resulting in two kinds of active sites with different catalytic tendencies. As a result, rufigallol-Co delivers excellent bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic activity, achieving an onset potential of 0.93 V for the oxygen reduction reaction and an overpotential of 284 mV at 10 mA cm-2 for the oxygen evolution reaction. Furthermore, the rufigallol-Co based rechargeable zinc-air battery (ZAB) showed excellent performance with a peak power density of 160.1 mW cm-2 and a specific capacity of 802 mAh gZn-1, outperforming the conventional Pt/C-IrO2-based system. This work not only expands the structural repertoire of 2D MOFs through the introduction of rufigallol as a novel ligand platform, but also provides a customized approach for building multifunctional catalysts.

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