Flower-like MOF-derived Co–N-doped carbon composite with remarkable activity and durability for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract Electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is one of the most economical, sustainable, and attractive methods to produce hydrogen. Contemporarily, it is still a challenge to develop low-cost catalysts with high activity and durability for HER. Herein, we report a simple strategy to develop a Co–N-doped carbon electrocatalyst derived from a new cobalt metal-organic framework (MOF). The new flower-like 2D→3D MOF {[Co(BIPA)(5-OH-bdc)](DMF)}n (1) was constructed based on bis(4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl)amine (BIPA) and 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (5-OH-H2bdc). After that, the Co–N-doped carbon composite Co-MOF-800 was prepared via calcination of MOF 1. Interestingly, Co-MOF-800 exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and durability for HER. The onset potential (0.12 V) and Ej=10 value (0.193 V) of the Co-MOF-800 electrode were comparable to that of the most active non-precious metal HER electrocatalysts derived from other MOFs. The HER performance of Co-MOF-800 was stable without degradation even after long-term cycling.