Quasi-Three-Dimensional Cyclotriphosphazene-Based Covalent Organic Framework Nanosheet for Efficient Oxygen Reduction

摘要

Metal-free carbon-based materials are considered as promising oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)electrocatalysts for clean energy conversion,and their highly dense and exposed carbon active sites are crucial for efficient ORR.In this work,two unique quasi-three-dimensional cyclotriphosphazene-based covalent organic frameworks(Q3CTP-COFs)and their nanosheets were successfully synthesized and applied as ORR electrocatalysts.The abundant electrophilic structure in Q3CTP-COFs induces a high density of carbon active sites,and the unique bilayer stacking of[6+3]imine-linked backbone facilitates the exposure of active carbon sites and accelerates mass diffusion during ORR.In particular,bulk Q3CTP-COFs can be easily exfoliated into thin COF nanosheets(NSs)due to the weak interlayerπ-πinteractions.Q3CTP-COF NSs exhibit highly efficient ORR catalytic activity(half-wave potential of 0.72 V vs.RHE in alkaline electrolyte),which is one of the best COF-based ORR electrocatalysts reported so far.Furthermore,Q3CTP-COF NSs can serve as a promising cathode for Zn-air batteries(delivered power density of 156 mW cm-2 at 300 mA cm^(-2)).This judicious design and accurate synthesis of such COFs with highly dense and exposed active sites and their nanosheets will promote the development of metal-free carbon-based electrocatalysts.