The Hierarchical Co(II)-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks as Bifunctional Catalysts for Efficient Water Splitting and Pollutant Degradation

Two-dimensional (2D) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with abundant exposed electro-active sites on their surfaces show considerable potential for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process. The present investigation details the utilization of three distinct Co-MOFs (<b>MOF 1–3</b>) in a hierarchical book-like structure through a single-step hydrothermal process. The results indicated that the as prepared <b>MOF 1</b> and <b>3</b> Co-MOFs samples exhibit superior efficiency in promoting oxygen evolution performance in an alkaline setting. These samples required low over potentials of 348 and 398 mV at 10 mA cm^–2, respectively, while maintaining high-quality Tafel slopes of 81.4 and 90.9 mV dec^–1. In addition, the aforementioned materials exhibited remarkable stability, with no discernible degradation observed for a minimum of 12 h. The results of this study introduce a novel approach to developing and producing electrocatalysts with superior efficiency for energy conversion utilizing MOFs. While being exposed to UV light, <b>MOF 1–3</b> also demonstrated notable photocatalytic degradation activities towards MB/MV dyes. This phenomenon generates a range of possibilities for the advancement of new energy materials and the reduction of water pollution.