Self-assembled FeNi-MOF-74 derived from stainless steel mesh for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

The anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a critical yet kinetically sluggish half-cell process in water electrolysis and metal-air batteries. This study proposes an innovative approach to sustainable resource recycling and the synthesis of self-supported metal-organic framework (MOF) electrocatalysts in a single step. The utilization of recycled stainless steel mesh (SSM) as both a substrate and a self-sacrificial template facilitated the successful engineering of the deposition of crystalline FeNi-MOF-74 ( FeNidobdc ) with homogeneous morphology, designated as FeNidobdc/SSM (1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 h, labeled FeNidobdc/SSM 1 to 5). Among them, the optimal FeNidobdc/SSM4 catalyst demonstrated exceptional OER performance, featuring a low Tafel slope (63.9 mV dec −1 ), a low overpotential (η 10  = 210 mV), and prolonged stability (31.8 h current retention). The enhanced electrocatalytic performance of the material can be attributed to several factors, including the high porosity and mesoporous structure of the MOF, the optimized Fe/Ni content, the multi-metal doped lattice, and the inherent stability of the SSM substrate. The use of SSM not only provides a self-supported framework but also enables in situ sacrificial growth, thereby enhancing interfacial binding and long-term cycling stability. Furthermore, the abundance of SSM offers a sustainable source of Fe and Ni, making it an ideal template for OER catalysis, while the self-supported design simplifies preparation steps by eliminating the need for additional binders or conductive agents. This study establishes a new pathway for sustainable resource recycling and one-step synthesis of high-performance, self-supported MOF electrocatalysts for OER applications.