Dimensional engineering of metal-organic framework-based electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction

Abstract

The increased use of fossil fuels has resulted in elevated concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide, which contributes to the greenhouse effect and other climate-related challenges. CO2 emissions and research seeking solutions have been discussed across various fields for decades. Among proposed solutions, converting atmospheric CO2 into valuable fuels and chemicals using catalysts represents a promising approach for reducing CO2 concentrations. The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) has attracted considerable attention due to its eco-friendly process compared to other conversion reactions. However, owing to the challenges of producing numerous by-products and the difficulty of controlling selectivity, recent research has focused on overcoming these problems. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent promising candidate materials for eCO2RR applications due to their ability to capture CO2 through pore size adjustment and accessibility to open metal sites, as well as their engineering versatility. Recent advances have demonstrated the development of MOF-based catalysts through diverse strategies that increase activity and selectivity for target products. MOF-based materials offer easier structural modification compared to other pure metal-based catalysts. In this review, we examine MOF-based materials from the perspective of engineering strategies and performance in eCO2RR, focusing on morphology control as a means of modifying the electronic structure and the distance between active sites within the framework.