Water oxidation reaction promoted by MIL-101(Fe) photoanode under visible light irradiation

This work spotlights the recently discovered photoelectrocatalytic properties of iron-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for water oxidation reaction (WOR) under visible light irradiation. The low efficiency of WOR is one of the biggest difficulties faced by photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion; the development of new photoanodes for WOR is greatly desired. In view of the fact that a higher efficiency for WOR was forecast thanks to the peculiar properties of MOFs, such as a highly ordered framework and homogenous porous structure, the photoelectrodes based on MIL-101(Fe) containing photo-active iron(III) clusters have been fabricated by using a drop-casting method and applied to photoelectrochemical water oxidation as photoanodes. XRD measurements revealed the successful formation of MIL-101(Fe) electrodes while retaining their framework structures. From the results of photoelectrochemical measurements, the optimal thickness of the MIL-101(Fe) electrodes was determined to be ca. 60 μm, and the optimized MIL-101(Fe) electrode was found to promote photoelectrochemical WOR under visible light irradiation more efficiently than conventional α-Fe₂O₃ electrodes. Moreover, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements demonstrated a lower resistance of charge transfer at the interface between the MOF surface and the electrolyte, resulting in better photoelectrochemical performance of the MIL-101(Fe) electrode.