Utilizing Metal-Organic Frameworks to Achieve High-Efficiency CO2Electroreduction

Abstract

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is the key part of clean energy generation and utilization, which has great potential to help the world to reach the carbon-neutral energy cycle in the future. In line with the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with the large specific area and considerable porosity in the past two decades, some of the MOF-based electrocatalysts have shown superior ability to accelerate CO2RR. However, regarding such a significant CO2RR process, some critical disadvantages, including inferior robustness, low yield and selectivity, and idealistic working environment, are still required to be concentrated on. Herein, a comprehensive outline of the reaction mechanism of CO2 conversion and rational synthesis of the state-of-the-art pristine MOFs is given. Further, recent progress of pristine MOF-based electrocatalysts in CO2RR is systematically summarized. Lastly, the major limitations and future opportunities in MOF electrocatalysis for CO2RR are presented.