MOF2O
PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA (PNRR)
Missione 4 “Istruzione e Ricerca” - Componente C2
Investimento 1.1, “Fondo per il Programma Nazionale di Ricerca e Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN)”
Codice progetto: 2022APPFN5
CUP: E53D23009260006
Contributo MUR per Ricerca: 190.141
Cofinanziamento Ateneo/Ente: 24.451
Partners
- Università degli Studi dell’AQUILA (Coordinatore), Responsabile: Andrea Lazzarini
- Università degli Studi di TORINO, Responsabile: Elisa Borfecchia
Brief description and main objectives
The MOF2O project was conceived to develop and investigate Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as advanced electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER), a key half-reaction in water splitting and a central process for sustainable hydrogen production. Inspired by the structural and functional features of the Mn-cluster in natural Photosystem II (PSII), the project aimed at rationally designing MOF-based catalytic platforms capable of combining the robustness of heterogeneous systems with the high tunability typical of molecular catalysts.
The core objective of the project was the identification and in-depth characterization of stable and efficient MOF-based OER electrocatalysts, with particular attention to understanding structure–activity relationships under realistic operating conditions. To achieve this goal, the research plan integrated complementary expertise from the two involved complementary Research Units and was structured into overlapped Work Packages addressing: (i) targeted MOFs syntheses through alternative preparation strategies, (ii) multi-level structural and physicochemical characterization, (iii) electrochemical investigation, and (iv) dissemination of results.
A multi-technique approach was implemented throughout the project, combining laboratory-based methods (PXRD, TGA, adsorption measurements, SEM, electrochemical testing) with advanced photon-in/photon-out spectroscopies at large-scale facilities experiments. In particular, synchrotron-based X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), as well as complementary neutron techniques at international facilities, were employed to elucidate the electronic and structural properties of the active metal sites and to assess their stability/degradation under reaction-relevant environment.
Overall, the project established a comprehensive experimental platform for the rational investigation of MOF-based OER electrocatalysts, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field of sustainable energy conversion and providing a solid basis for future developments towards more efficient catalytic systems.
Main results and publications
"MOF-808 through Cerium’s lens: XAS/XRD Insights into Alkaline-Induced Structural Evolution”, Patrizio Campitelli,‡ Cem Çelikutku,‡ Anna Marsicano, Ayoub Haouas, Lorenzo De Gasperis, Francesco Ferella, Leonardo Guidoni, Marcello Crucianelli, Leucio Rossi, Matteo Signorile, Andrea Lazzarini,* Elisa Borfecchia*, in preparation.
