Metal‐Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Their Derivatives for Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Reduction to Value‐added Chemicals: Recent Advances and New Challenges

Abstract

Excess CO2 can be effectively converted into valuable fuels and chemicals by electrochemical CO2 reduction, which can help establish a low‐carbon emission economy and solve the current energy crisis. In recent years, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), as an emerging multifunctional material with porous structure, high chemical tunability and large specific surface area, has received increasing attention in the field of electrochemical CO2RR. In this paper, we present a comprehensive overview of various MOFs and their derivatives as CO2RR electrocatalysts and analyze their roles in the catalytic process from physical and chemical aspects. In addition, combining experiments and theory, this article also offers a personal view on the electronic structure modulation strategies to improve electrocatalytic performance. The article concludes with an analysis of the challenges in realizing MOFs and their derivatives for electrocatalytic CO2RR applications.

Cu-MOF-74-Derived CuO-400 Material for CO2 Electroreduction

“…In recent years, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have become popular due to their novel properties. MOFs are a type of porous coordination polymer composed of metal ions/clusters and organic ligands, characterized by their high permanent porosity, high crystallinity, and order [21][22][23]. Compared to inorganic catalytic materials, nano-materials derived from MOFs exhibit an excellent catalytic activity in CO 2 electroreduction due to their high surface area, tunable geometric structures, and controllable pore sizes.…”

Tailoring Cu-Based Electrocatalysts for Enhanced Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Alcohols: Structure–Selectivity Relationship

“…Therefore, the targeted preparation of nanocluster catalysts with specific structures is of great importance. The structures and components of electrocatalysts are generally affected by their precursors, , and thus, the electrocatalytic activity of Cu-based electrocatalysts is possibly related to their corresponding Cu-based precursors. , This would provide a potential way to adjust their performance for electrochemical CO 2 RR by choosing different Cu-based precursors. Cu-based nanocomposites have been widely studied for CO 2 RR and have exhibited novel catalytic performance different from other metal-based materials. − In the research, hence, we expected to construct Cu nanoclusters or nanoparticles with the desired components and structures by the use of precise multinuclear Cu complexes as precursors, elucidating the structure–activity relationships of electrocatalysts .…”

“…Therefore, the targeted preparation of nanocluster catalysts with specific structures is of great importance. The structures and components of electrocatalysts are generally affected by their precursors, 24,25 and thus, the electrocatalytic activity of Cu-based electrocatalysts is possibly related to their corresponding Cu-based precursors. 26,27 This would provide a potential way to adjust their performance for electrochemical CO materials.…”