Boosting the Electrocatalytic Water Splitting Performance Using Hydrophilic Metal-Organic Framework

In this study, we employed a rapid and efficient microwave method to synthesize Metal-Organic Framework (MOF-303), which was subsequently embedded onto Palladium/Carbon (Pd/C) electrodes. The resulting hybrid material, Pd/C@MOF-303, was thoroughly characterized, and its performance in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) was systematically investigated. The Pd/C@MOF-303 composite exhibited remarkable improvements in HER performance compared to the unmodified Pd/C electrode. At a benchmark current density of 10 mA cm⁻², the overpotentials for Pd/C and Pd/C@MOF-303 were measured at 185 mV and 175 mV, respectively. This reduction in overpotential highlights the superior catalytic activity of the Pd/C@MOF-303 hybrid material in facilitating the HER. Furthermore, the Pd/C@MOF-303 electrode demonstrated enhanced HER activity, increased mass activity, and excellent charge transfer rates compared to its unmodified counterpart, Pd/C. The findings underscore the significance of the hydrophilic MOF-303 in tailoring the surface characteristics of electrocatalysts, thereby offering insights into the design principles for advanced materials with superior performance in electrochemical applications.