Photo/electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to C2+Products on MOF-Based Catalysts

Efficient conversion of CO2 to valuable fuels is a desired approach to reduce global warming effect and remit sustained fossil fuel demand. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of crystalline porous materials with unique features, have been widely studied for potential applications in varied fields. Recently, photo/electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to two or more carbons (C2+) products has attracted extensive attention because of their higher market values than one carbon (C1). However, the major products of CO2 reduction currently are carbon monoxide, formate, or methane, which are all typical C1 products. Generally, for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 system, relatively low efficiency of electron transfer with inadequate capability results sluggish kinetics of C-C coupling. And for electrocatalysis, high current densities curtail the stability, which limits selectivity towards C2+ products. In this review, we provide very latest reports that have make some breakthroughs to overcome the above difficulties in photo/electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to C2+ products using MOF-based materials. Special emphases are given on design strategies of synthetic MOF-based catalysts and the mechanisms of catalytic CO2 to C2+ products. The challenges and prospects of photo/electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to C2+ products associated with MOF-based materials are also discussed.