Hybrid nanoarrays of Cu-MOFs@H-substituted graphdiyne with various levels of Lewis acidity for nitrate electroreduction.

To mimic enzymes in nature, a set of hybrid nanoarrays of Cu-MOFs sealed in hydrogen-substituted graphdiyne has been developed in order to serve as Lewis-acid-promoted catalysts. By regulating the electron-withdrawing capability of the ligands bridging Cu 2+ sites, these Cu-MOFs provided different levels of Lewis acidity toward nitrate affinity, a feature crucial for nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.