Current Progress of Mo-Based Metal Organic Frameworks Derived Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

As an important half-reaction for electrochemical water splitting, electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction suffers from sluggish kinetics, and it is still urgent to search high efficiency non-platinum-based electrocatalysts. Mo-based catalysts such as Mo2C, MoO2, MoP, MoS2, and MoNx have emerged as promising alternatives to Pt/C owing to their similar electronic structure with Pt and abundant reserve of Mo. On the other hand, due to the adjustable topology, porosity, and nanostructure of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), MOFs are extensively used as precursors to prepare nano-electrocatalysts. In this review, for the first time, the progress of Mo-MOFs-derived electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction is summarized. The preparation method, structures, and catalytic performance of the catalysts are illustrated based on the types of the derived electrocatalysts including Mo2C, MoO2 MoP, MoS2, and MoNx. Especially, the commonly used strategies to improve catalytic performance such as heteroatoms doping, constructing heterogeneous structure, and composited with noble metal are discussed. Moreover, the opportunities and challenges in this area are proposed to guide the designment and development of Mo-based MOF derived electrocatalysts.

Automated summary

As an important reaction for electrochemical water splitting, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) suffers from slow kinetics and the need for high efficiency non-platinum-based electrocatalysts. Mo-based catalysts, such as Mo2C, MoO2, MoP, MoS2, and MoNx, have emerged as promising alternatives to Pt/C due to their similar electronic structure with Pt and abundant reserve of Mo. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have adjustable topology, porosity, and nanostructure, making them useful precursors for nano-electrocatalysts. In this review, the progress of Mo-MOFs-derived electrocatalysts for HER is summarized, including the preparation method, structures, and catalytic performance of the derived catalysts such as Mo2C, MoO2, MoP, MoS2, and MoNx. Strategies to improve catalytic performance, such as heteroatoms doping, constructing heterogeneous structures, and compositing with noble metals, are discussed. Opportunities and challenges in this area are proposed to guide the design and development of Mo-based MOF-derived electrocatalysts.