Mixed-Ligand-Architected 2D Co(II)-MOF Expressing a Novel Topology for an Efficient Photoanode for Water Oxidation Using Visible Light

The structural diversity of Co(II) metal centers is known to influence their physicochemical properties. A novel two-dimensional (2D) Co(II)-MOF {[Co 5 (HL) 4 (dpp) 2 (H 2 O) 2 (μ-OH) 2 ]·21H 2 O} n has been designed and synthesized by adopting a mixed-ligand strategy, using 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane (dpp) colinker with a flexible spacer H 3 L (H 3 L: 5-(2 carboxybenzyloxy)isophthalic acid). Co(II)-MOF features a 2D network, which is further interpenetrated among the equivalent sets and therefore results in a 3D supramolecular network. Topologically, the entire network can be viewed as a (3,4,8)-connected three-nodal net with the extended point symbol of {4.5.7}4{4 12 .5 2 .7 10 .9 4 }{5 2 .8.9 2 .10}2, duly assigned to the novel topological type smm 2 . The functional utility of Co(II)-MOF is demonstrated by employing it toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a photoelectrochemical cell, exhibiting appreciable photocurrents of up to 5.89 mA/cm 2 when used as an anode in a photoelectrochemical cell, while also displaying encouraging electrocatalytic currents of 9.32 mA/cm 2 (at 2.01 V vs RHE) for the OER. Moreover, detailed electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies confirm enhanced charge-transfer kinetics and improved conductivity under illumination with minimal effect of interfacial phenomena. This work provides a reference for the expanding field of research into applications of MOF materials and establishes MOF materials as favorable candidates for sustainable and efficient design of electrodes for water splitting.