Boron Modified Nife-MOF-74 Catalyst for Application in Advanced Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers
Authors: Xing Jiale , Bashiri Shaghayegh , Bliznakov Stoyan , Bonville Leonard J. , Maric Radenka 
Published: August 2024

Despite the promising potential of non-platinum group metal electrocatalysts for anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis, their practical application remains a challenge.1 Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have gained significant attention due to their high surface area, 3D periodic porous structure, large porosities, diverse composition, and well-defined metal centers as potential OER electrocatalysts in AEM electrolysis.2 However, there is a limited research report that MOFs could be used in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) test due to the inherent limitations, such as poor stability in water, especially under basic/acidic conditions and low electrical conductivities.3,4 To address these challenges, we present a novel approach involving the introduction of boron atoms into an aromatic carbon framework. In this study, we have successfully fabricated micro-nano flower-like bimetallic NiFe-MOF-74 doped with boron. These innovative materials exhibit exceptional catalytic activity, boasting an impressively low overpotential of 318 mV for OER at a laboratory-grade current density ranging from 10 to 100 mA/cm2. Moreover, they demonstrate rapid reaction kinetics, as evidenced by a small Tafel slope of 89 mV dec-1 in 1.0 M KOH solution. In addition, our research highlights the outstanding performance of boron-modified NiFe-MOF-74 as a robust anode material for AEM water electrolysis. This significant development paves the way for a promising electrocatalyst in the realm of anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. Our findings hold great potential for advancing the field and overcoming the existing challenges associated with non-platinum group metal electrocatalysts in AEM electrolysis.
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