Copper tetrazolate based metal-organic frameworks as highly efficient catalysts for artificially chemical and electrochemical CO2 conversion

Development of efficient catalyst for CO2 conversion is highly demanded to alleviate the CO2 related environmental and energy crisis. Here, we develop a series of copper tetrazolate based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (Cu-5H, Cu-5M and Cu-5P) to promote the artificial CO2 conversion via chemical and electrochemical route. Featuring with abundant exposed Lewis-acid Cu centers, nitrogen-rich sites, and porous architecture, Cu-5M and Cu-5P exhibit high yield (>99%) toward synthesizing cyclic carbonate via the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 to epoxide at ambient condition. In electrochemical CO2 conversion process, Cu-5H shows high electrocatalytic activity with a large Faradaic efficiency (91%) for formate. The ex situ scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction investigations indicate the in situ generated Cu species in the MOFs structure play vital roles in promoting the high electrocatalytic activity. Our work sheds light on the facile development of metal and nitrogen-rich MOF based catalysts in chemical and electrochemical conversion CO2 to valuable chemical and fuel.