Resisting metal aggregation in pyrolysis of MOFs towards highdensity metal nanocatalysts for efficient hydrazine assisted hydrogen production

The preparation of supported high-density metal nanoparticles(NPs)is of great importance to boost the performance in heterogeneous catalysis.Thermal transformation of metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)has been demonstrated as a promising route for the synthesis of supported metal NPs with high metal loadings,but it is challenge to achieve uniform metal dispersion.Here we report a strategy of“spatial isolation and dopant anchoring”to resist metal aggregation in the pyrolysis of MOFs through converting a bulk MOF into dual-heteroatom-containing flower-like MOF sheets(B/N-MOF-S).This approach can spatially isolate metal ions and increase the number of anchoring sites,thus efficiently building physical and/or chemical barriers to cooperatively prevent metal NPs from aggregation in the high-temperature transformation process.After thermolysis at 1,000℃,the B/N-MOFS affords B,N co-doped carbon-supported Co NPs(Co/BNC)with uniform dispersion and a high Co loading of 37.3 wt.%,while untreated bulk MOFs yield much larger sizes and uneven distribution of Co NPs.The as-obtained Co/BNC exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activities in both hydrogen evolution and hydrazine oxidation reactions,only a voltage of 0.617 V at a high current density of 100 mA·cm^(−2)is required when applied to a two-electrode overall hydrazine splitting electrolyzer.