Oxide derivatives of metal–organic frameworks for water splitting: a concise review

In recent years, MOF-derived materials, especially MOF-derived oxides, have gained significant popularity and have been widely used in various applications, including energy conversion, due to their tunable structure, high specific surface area, tailorable pore volume and excellent stability. However, several challenges remain that require urgent solutions in the field of MOF-derived oxides for water splitting applications, particularly the optimization of synthesis, conversion rate and time and deactivation over a period of time. Researchers have reported various techniques to address these hurdles. This review begins with the basic principles, mechanisms, and evaluation parameters of electrochemical water splitting. It then focuses on recent findings, highlighting the contribution of different structures to enhance the overall performance of the material. Subsequently, it discusses typical performance enhancement strategies such as incorporation of high electronegative atoms, construction of heterostructures, hybridization of different materials, development of rapid mass transport, and construction of bimetallic centers. Finally, we conclude with a summary and future outlook on the field of MOF-derived oxides in water splitting applications.