A comprehensive review on MIL metal-organic framework materials in CO2 valorization: Capture, separation, and conversion to fuels and chemicals

Abstract

The utilization of fossil fuels is unsustainable in the long term due to their negative impact on the environment, particularly their contribution to climate change. Therefore, new feedstocks such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and green hydrogen are expected to replace or complement fossil fuel-based feedstocks in the future. Innovation in materials that are compatible with these new feedstocks is key to ensuring the supply of fuels and chemicals is maintained upon this transition. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), specifically Materials Institute Lavoisier (MIL) MOFs, possess a high surface area and porous structure, offering numerous catalytic sites for CO2 adsorption. Their application is demonstrated by important reactions such as CO2 photoreduction, electroreduction, chemical organic synthesis, and thermocatalytic CO2 hydrogenation, highlighting their usefulness. Moreover, the strong affinity of MIL MOFs for CO2 makes them highly suitable for application in capture and adsorption processes, such as direct air capture. The current perspective aims to provide insight into MIL MOFs, covering their synthesis, applications in CO2 capture and adsorption, CO2 photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, thermocatalytic hydrogenation, and chemical organic synthesis. This review offers valuable insights that can empower researchers to make informed decisions when selecting and designing MIL MOFs, perfectly aligned with their unique applications in the CO2 valorisation.