Co-based metal-organic framework for photocatalytic hydrogen generation.

Hydrogen production through an artificial photocatalytic process in the solar light region using a water-stable Co-Tz (Tz = 1,2,4-triazolate) framework was demonstrated. Possessing such a high photostability and highly reactive sites at the tetrahedral cobalt centers, Co-Tz exhibits a great photocatalytic performance converting water into hydrogen of 9.32 mmol g-1 at 4 h in the presence of fluorescein (FI) and triethylamine (TEA) as a photosensitizer and sacrificial agent, respectively. In addition, the framework is reusable without losing its catalytical integrity.

Conductive Co-triazole metal-organic framework exploited as an oxygen evolution electrocatalyst.

A Co-triazole metal-organic framework (Co-trz) endowed with electrical conductivity was synthesized effortlessly via a microwave-based method. Providing a high density of catalytic centers with electrically conductive features, as suggested by DFT calculations, the framework exhibited a low overpotential for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with good kinetics. A mechanistic reaction pathway was proposed based on monitoring alterations in the oxidation state and local coordination environment of Co centers upon the occurrence of the OER. Due to its performance and its chemical and electrochemical robustness, the framework was highlighted as a promising MOF electrocatalyst for the OER.