Dimensionality Reduction of Metal–Organic Frameworks to Monolayers for Enhanced Electrocatalysis

Z Zi Yang (Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) A An Li H Hao Li G Guotao Lai (Department of Chemistry Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 China) Y Yifan Fu Y Yufeng Zhang K Kun Wang (Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) S Senhai Zeng (Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) L Lin Xie M Mufan Li (Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Integrated Spectroscopy, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) J Jun Gu (School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology) G Guangxu Lan (Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering)

Abstract

Abstract Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are potential candidates for electrocatalysis due to their well‐defined, tunable structures, and ability to incorporate diverse active sites. However, their inherent insulating nature restricts electron transfer from electrode to remote active sites, leading to diminished catalytic performance. In this work, we present a novel strategy to overcome this limitation by reducing 3D MOFs (3D_MOFs) into monolayered MOFs (monoMOFs) with a thickness of ∼1.8 nm, maximizing the exposure of catalytic sites to the electrode and enhancing electrocatalytic performance. We designed and synthesized a monoMOF incorporating cobalt(II)–porphyrin sites in the linker (monoMOF‐Co) for CO 2 electroreduction. After being grafted onto graphene oxide, the monoMOF‐Co exhibited a peak faradaic efficiency for CO production (FE CO  = 93%), surpassing the performance of a 3D_MOF incorporating the same porphyrin–Co‐based linker (3D_MOF‐Co, FE CO  = 51%). Additionally, monoMOF‐Co achieved a turnover frequency of 10 600 h −1 at −0.8 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and maintained stability over 47 h in a near‐neutral aqueous solution. In situ spectroscopic studies further confirmed the distinct electric field environment in the Stern layer between monoMOF‐Co and 3D_MOF‐Co. Furthermore, similar enhancement effects of monoMOFs over 3D_MOFs were observed in the nitrate and oxygen electroreduction reactions, highlighting the broader applicability of monoMOFs in electrocatalysis.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 24
Published June 10, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (12)

Z

Zi Yang

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

A

An Li

H

Hao Li

G

Guotao Lai

Department of Chemistry Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 China

Y

Yifan Fu

Y

Yufeng Zhang

K

Kun Wang

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

S

Senhai Zeng

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

L

Lin Xie

M

Mufan Li

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Integrated Spectroscopy, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

J

Jun Gu

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology

G

Guangxu Lan

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering