Covalent organic framework-derived CoRu nanoalloy doped macro–microporous carbon for efficient electrocatalysis

Abstract

Developing bifunctional electrocatalysts with high activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great significance for sustainable energy development and environmental protection. Herein, we first report a practical and efficient strategy for the preparation of bifunctional macro–microporous COF-derived water-splitting electrocatalysts by integration of the facile ion substitution method and template-assisted method. This method has been successfully applied to obtain a representative m-CoRu@NC electrocatalyst with highly conductive N-rich graphitic carbon as the support to anchor an active bimetal CoRu nanoalloy and hierarchical macro–microporous structure. Benefitting from these advantages, m-CoRu@NC exhibits excellent HER and OER activity under alkaline conditions, even superior to those of commercial Pt/C and RuO₂. Theoretical calculations have also been conducted to understand the mechanism of superior HER performance. This work provides a new insight into the design of COF-derived multifunctional materials for electrochemical application.