Article

Water-Stable Pillared Three-Dimensional Zn–V Bimetal–Organic Framework for Promoted Electrocatalytic Urea Oxidation

Reza AbazariDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maragheh, P.O. Box 55181-83111, Maragheh, IranSoheila SanatiDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maragheh, P.O. Box 55181-83111, Maragheh, IranPaweł StelmachowskiFaculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, Krakow 30-387, PolandQiyou WangHunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, P.R. ChinaAnna KrawczukInstitute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Göttingen, Tammannstrasse 4, Göttingen 37077, GermanyJoanna GościańskaFaculty of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, Poznań 61-614, PolandMin LiuHunan Joint International Research Center for Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, P.R. China

2024en

ABI

Abstract

Urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is one of the potential routes in which urea-rich wastewater is used as a source of energy for hydrogen production. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have promising applications in electrocatalytic processes, although there are still challenges in identifying the MOFs’ molecular regulation and obtaining practical catalytic systems. The current study sought to synthesize [Zn6(IDC)4(OH)2(Hprz)2]n (Zn-MOF) with three symmetrically independent Zn(II) cations connected via linear N-donor piperazine (Hprz), rigid planar imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate (IDC3–), and −OH ligands, revealing the 3,4T1 topology. The optimized noble-metal-free Zn0.33V0.66-MOF/NF electrocatalysts show higher robustness and performance compared to those of the parent Zn monometallic MOF/NF electrode and other bimetallic MOFs with different Zn–V molar ratios. The low potential of 1.42 V (vs RHE) at 50 mA cm–2 in 1.0 M KOH with 0.33 M urea required by the developed Zn0.33V0.66-MOF electrode makes its application in the UOR more feasible. The availability of more exposed active sites, ion diffusion path, and higher conductivity result from the distinctive configuration of the synthesized electrocatalyst, which is highly stable and capable of synergistic effects, consequently enhancing the desired reaction. The current research contributes to introducing a practical, cost-effective, and sustainable solution to decompose urea-rich wastewater and produce hydrogen.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00053

Citations and references

Cited by 20 references

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