A Graphene Oxide and Copper-Centered Metal Organic Framework Composite as a Tri-Functional Catalyst for HER, OER, and ORR

A composite made from the assembly of graphene oxide (GO) and copper-centered metal organic framework (MOF) shows good performance as a tri-functional catalyst in three important electrocatalysis reactions, namely: the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). One of the challenges in the area of electrocatalysis is to find an effective catalyst that will reduce, as well as generate, oxygen at moderate temperatures. The enhanced electrocatalytic properties and stability in acid of the GO-MOF composite is due to the unqiue porous scaffold structure, improved charge transport and synergistic interactions between the GO and MOF. In polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell testing, the GO-incorporated Cu-MOF composite delivers a power density that is 76% that of the commercial Pt catalyst.