Publications by authors named "Kunting Cai"

Refining synthesis strategies for metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts to improve their performance and stability in an oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a big challenge. In this study, a series of nanostructured electrocatalysts were synthesized through a solvothermal method by growing MOFs and metal-triazolates (METs) on nickel foam (NF) substrates (named MET-M/NF, M = Fe, Co, Cu), and these electrocatalysts could be used directly as OER self-supporting electrodes. Among these electrocatalysts, MET-Fe/NF exhibited the best OER performance, requiring only an overpotential of 122 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm and showing remarkable stability over 15 h.

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Article Synopsis
  • This text discusses how optimizing the interaction between metal catalysts and supports enhances their electronic structure and catalytic performance.
  • The study introduces a method to confine ultrafine ruthenium nanoparticles within a doped carbon network, leading to improved catalytic activity and stability for hydrogen production.
  • The findings highlight that the strong electronic coupling between ruthenium and neighboring zinc-nitrogen sites facilitates efficient reactions, offering insights for the future development of advanced materials for energy applications.
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Heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are constructed from two or more kinds of metal ions, while still remaining their original topologies. Due to distinct reaction kinetics during MOF formation, partial distribution of different metals within a single MOF crystal can lead to sophisticated heterogeneous nanostructures. Here, this study reports an investigation of reaction kinetics for different metal ions in a bimetallic MOF system, the ZIF-8/67 (M(2-mIM) , M = Zn for ZIF-8, and Co for ZIF-67, 2-mIM = 2-methylimidazole), by in situ optical method.

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