Heterometallic coordination polymers as heterogeneous electrocatalysts

Abstract

Heterometallic coordination polymers are emerging as a class of crystalline materials for sustainable energy production via electrocatalysis, thanks to the synergistic and cooperative effects of different kinds of metal centres present in these polymers. The development of this class of materials mainly relies on screening experiments using a one-pot protocol of mixing metal ions; notably, the incorporation of different metal ions into desired positions in a single polymeric structure is quite difficult. This review article briefly summarizes the synthesis methods for heterometallic coordination polymers that show heterogeneous electrocatalytic activity. In addition, the relationships between the molecular structure and hydrogen evolution (water/proton reduction), oxygen evolution (water oxidation), CO₂ reduction, oxygen reduction, and some important organic reactions are reviewed to offer new ideas for designing efficient energy conversion materials and developing new classes of heterometallic coordination polymers.