Highly efficient and mild synthesis of multimetallic metal–organic framework nanoparticles for enhanced oxygen evolution reactions

Abstract

Multimetallic metal–organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles have been regarded as promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to their small size, porous structure, and synergistic active metal site. However, limitations such as stringent preparation conditions, long reaction times, and low yields restrict their further application. Herein, an instantaneous and continuous approach is proposed to synthesize multimetallic MOF nanoparticles utilizing high gravity technology. With greatly enhanced mixing and mass transfer in the rotating packed bed reactor, the instantaneously synthesized bimetallic/trimetallic MOF nanoparticles show smaller particle sizes, higher surface areas, and greatly enhanced OER performance compared with the corresponding stirred tank reactor products. Density functional theory calculations elucidate the intrinsic activity regulation mechanism of bimetallic MOFs. This study not only proposes an efficient strategy to synthesize multimetallic MOFs for OER but also can achieve scaled-up preparation with ultra-high space–time yield (43,700 kg m⁻³ day⁻¹), promoting the practical application of MOFs in electrocatalysis.