Cobalt-based dual ligand metal organic framework as bifunctional electrocatalyst for value-added hydrogen production in iodide-containing water electrolysis
Abstract
Replacing the sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with the thermodynamically favorable iodide oxidation reaction (IOR, 0.46 V ) represents a promising strategy to reduce energy consumption in hydrogen-producing water electrolysis. Herein, a highly efficient, noble-metal-free bifunctional electrocatalyst is developed by synthesizing a dual-ligand cobalt-based metal-organic framework (Co-TD) directly on nickel foam via a solvothermal method. By simultaneously introducing terephthalic acid (H 2 BDC) and trimesic acid (H 3 BTC), the synergistic dual-ligand effects successfully regulate the local coordination environment and electronic structure around Co centers, while optimizing the porous surface morphology. Electrochemical assessments in 1.0 M KOH + 0.5 M KI demonstrate that Co-TD exhibits exceptional bifunctional catalytic activity. In a two-electrode overall electrolysis system, Co-TD requires an operating voltage of only 1.61 V to achieve 100 mA cm −2 , outperforming its single-ligand counterparts (Co-BDC and Co-BTC) and yielding a high hydrogen Faradaic efficiency of 98.6%. Crucially, chronopotentiometry confirms outstanding operational durability, maintaining stable performance at 100 mA cm −2 for ∼455 h. In-operando Raman spectroscopy reveals a dynamic, potential-dependent, and partially reversible surface reconstruction into CoOOH-related species during IOR. Post-reaction characterizations confirm that Co-TD effectively preserves its hierarchical nanostructure and structural integrity after rigorous electrochemical testing. This work demonstrates that the dual-ligand design strategy coupled with alternative anode oxidation provides a viable approach for energy-efficient green hydrogen production.
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BibTeX
@article{chen2026cobaltbased,
title = {{Cobalt-based dual ligand metal organic framework as bifunctional electrocatalyst for value-added hydrogen production in iodide-containing water electrolysis}},
author = {Sheng-Po Chen and Jia-He Peng and Jhao-Hua Zeng and Chun-Jern Pan and Chun-I Lee},
journal = {Electrochemistry Communications},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.elecom.2026.108268},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1388248126001645},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cobalt-based dual ligand metal organic framework as bifunctional electrocatalyst for value-added hydrogen production in iodide-containing water electrolysis
AU - Sheng-Po Chen
AU - Jia-He Peng
AU - Jhao-Hua Zeng
AU - Chun-Jern Pan
AU - Chun-I Lee
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Electrochemistry Communications
DO - 10.1016/j.elecom.2026.108268
UR - https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1388248126001645
AB - Replacing the sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with the thermodynamically favorable iodide oxidation reaction (IOR, 0.46 V ) represents a promising strategy to reduce energy consumption in hydrogen-producing water electrolysis. Herein, a highly efficient, noble-metal-free bifunctional electrocatalyst is developed by synthesizing a dual-ligand cobalt-based metal-organic framework (Co-TD) directly on nickel foam via a solvothermal method. By simultaneously introducing terephthalic acid (H 2 BDC) and trimesic acid (H 3 BTC), the synergistic dual-ligand effects successfully regulate the local coordination environment and electronic structure around Co centers, while optimizing the porous surface morphology. Electrochemical assessments in 1.0 M KOH + 0.5 M KI demonstrate that Co-TD exhibits exceptional bifunctional catalytic activity. In a two-electrode overall electrolysis system, Co-TD requires an operating voltage of only 1.61 V to achieve 100 mA cm −2 , outperforming its single-ligand counterparts (Co-BDC and Co-BTC) and yielding a high hydrogen Faradaic efficiency of 98.6%. Crucially, chronopotentiometry confirms outstanding operational durability, maintaining stable performance at 100 mA cm −2 for ∼455 h. In-operando Raman spectroscopy reveals a dynamic, potential-dependent, and partially reversible surface reconstruction into CoOOH-related species during IOR. Post-reaction characterizations confirm that Co-TD effectively preserves its hierarchical nanostructure and structural integrity after rigorous electrochemical testing. This work demonstrates that the dual-ligand design strategy coupled with alternative anode oxidation provides a viable approach for energy-efficient green hydrogen production.
SN - 1388-2481
SN - 1873-1902
ER -