Integration of Marigold 3D flower-like Ni-MOF self-assembled on MWCNTs via microwave irradiation for high-performance electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation and oxygen evolution reactions

Fabrication of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on carbon nanostructure arrays is extremely challenging. Here, we successfully fabricated three-dimensional (3D) flower-like Ni-MOFs on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through a highly efficient and rapid microwave synthetic protocol and studied their applicability in electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation reaction (AOR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Morphological studies using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images suggested the formation of marigold-like Ni-MOF decorated on the MWCNTs. Surface coverage of NiMOF@CNT (1.11 x 10(-7) mol g(-1)) was higher than that of the pristine Ni-MOF (9.35 x 10(-8) mol g(-1)) electrocatalyst. The higher electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of Ni-MOF@CNT (494.3 cm(2)) compared to the pristine Ni-MOF (203.5 cm(2)) electrocatalyst resulted in the availability of large active sites in the Ni-MOF@CNT to catalyze AOR and OER. Ni-MOF@CNT exhibited a higher electrooxidation performance in AOR than the pristine Ni-MOF and its OER activity was far superior.

Automated summary

Fabrication of 3D flower-like Ni-MOFs on multiwalled carbon nanotubes was achieved through a fast microwave synthetic protocol, leading to higher surface coverage and electrochemical active surface area compared to pristine Ni-MOF. The Ni-MOF@CNT exhibited superior electrooxidation performance in AOR and OER activities.