Functionally anchored covalent organic frameworks incorporating cobalt ions for enhanced performance in electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) serve as ideal platforms for engineering high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts, leveraging their robust crystalline structures and large surface areas. Herein, we report a rational metal anchoring strategy to address the critical challenges of high over potential and low durability in COF-based electrocatalysts, aiming to optimize activity while preserving intrinsic framework integrity. The strategy utilizes hydroxyl groups on the pore walls of TzDa COFs (synthesized from 4,4′,4″-[1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl]triphenylamine (Tz) and 2,5-dihydroxy-p-phenylenedialdehyde (Da)) for site-specific covalent modification, enabling strong chelation and uniform anchoring of cobalt (Co) ions via Meldrum’s acid (MA) as a bridging ligand (forming TzDa–MA–Co). Electrochemical evaluations demonstrated that TzDa–MA–Co exhibited superior performance, with a low over potential at 10 mA cm −2 and a small Tafel slope of 86 mV dec −1 , maintaining stability over 40 h of continuous testing. This metal anchoring strategy holds significant potential for improving material performance in OER-related applications.