Metal-ion doping in metal-organic-frameworks: modulating the electronic structure and local coordination for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction activity

Abstract

The doping of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with metal-ions has emerged as a powerful strategy for enhancing their catalytic performance. Doping allows for the tailoring of the electronic structure and local coordination environment of MOFs, thus imparting on them unique properties and enhanced functionalities. This frontier article discusses the impact of metal-ion doping on the electronic structure and local coordination of MOFs, highlighting the effects on their electrocatalytic properties in relation to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The fundamental mechanisms underlying these modifications are explored, while recent advances, challenges, and prospects in the field are discussed. In addition, experimental techniques that can be applied to tackle the realization of effective metal-ion doping of MOFs are also noted briefly. Metal-ion doping modulates electronic structure and coordination environment in MOFs, leading to partial exposure of metal nodes, thus enhancing the active sites, and accelerating the OER.