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Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis of a Single MOF‐Derived Composite Nanoparticle on the Tip of a Nanoelectrode
Author(s) -
Aiyappa Harshitha Barike,
Wilde Patrick,
Quast Thomas,
Masa Justus,
Andronescu Corina,
Chen YenTing,
Muhler Martin,
Fischer Roland A.,
Schuhmann Wolfgang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201903283
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , overpotential , nanoparticle , oxygen evolution , catalysis , composite number , chemical engineering , electrochemistry , nanomaterials , pyrolysis , materials science , carbon fibers , nanotechnology , particle (ecology) , chemistry , electrode , composite material , organic chemistry , oceanography , geology , engineering
Determination of the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of nanomaterials by means of macroelectrode techniques is compromised by ensemble and film effects. Here, a unique “particle on a stick” approach is used to grow a single metal–organic framework (MOF; ZIF‐67) nanoparticle on a nanoelectrode surface which is pyrolyzed to generate a cobalt/nitrogen‐doped carbon (CoN/C) composite nanoparticle that exhibits very high catalytic activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with a current density of up to 230 mA cm −2 at 1.77 V (vs. RHE), and a high turnover frequency (TOF) of 29.7 s −1 at 540 mV overpotential. Identical location transmission electron microscopy (IL‐TEM) analysis substantiates the “self‐sacrificial” template nature of the MOF, while post‐electrocatalysis studies reveal agglomeration of Co centers within the CoN/C composite during the OER. “Single‐entity” electrochemical analysis allows for deriving the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity and furnishes insight into the transient behavior of the electrocatalyst under reaction conditions.