Chapter 6
MOF-Derived Nanoparticles and Single Atoms for
Electrochemical Reactions
Victor Charles
*,1
and Satesh Gangarapu
2
1
Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola 652105, Nigeria
2
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX,
United Kingdom
*
Email: victorcharles2020@gmail.com
Metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived materials have atracted much
interest because of their various advantages. Tey are usually synthesized through
high-temperature pyrolysis to obtain composites. Te distinct crystalline and
porous structures along with additional tailored compositions of MOFs make
them outstanding templates and precursors to create nanostructures by high-
temperature pyrolysis. Products obtained from pyrolysis have been used ofen in
the feld of catalysis. In electrocatalysis precisely, MOF-derived materials have
found many applications in oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution
reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), carbon dioxide reduction
reaction, nitrogen reduction reaction, and many more. In this chapter, we
summarize works on the morphological structures of MOF-derived materials,
comprehensively explaining the applications of MOF-derived nanoparticles and
single atoms for electrochemical reactions, with a focus on OER, ORR, and HER.
We discuss the mechanistic principles of OER, ORR, and HER. We explain the
OER, ORR, and HER performances of the electrocatalysts synthesized in studies.
1.0. Introduction
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as porous coordination polymers, are
constructed by using inorganic nodes (metal ions and clusters) with organic linkers. MOFs represent
a unique kind of material of crystalline nature formed when the clusters of metal ions are interrelated
by ligands that are multifunctional (1). MOFs have been used as gas sensors, precursors for the
synthesis of nanocomposites, and materials for the synthesis of various catalysts. Features of MOFs
include high micropore volume, tunable pore diameter, crystallinity, and a high metal content
ofering potentially valuable active sites. MOFs possess advantages such as diversity of structures
and large surface areas because of their unique features, which set them apart for a wide variety of
industrial processes (2). Among the uses of MOFs are storing and transportation of gases, separation
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Sudarsanam and Singh; Advanced Heterogeneous Catalysts Volume 2: Applications at the Single-Atom Scale
ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2020.