Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Framework Particle Films for Visible-Light-Driven Efficient Photoreduction of CO2

Metal-organic framework (MOFs) films have a wide range of applications in gas separation and chemical sensing. By contrast, MOF films have rarely been reported in the field of photocatalysis. Compared with crystalline MOF powders, the photocatalysis of films can surmount the defects of agglomeration, light scattering, and poor recyclability. The preparation of suitable MOF films for high-efficiency photocatalytic CO2 reduction is currently the research focus. Herein, we successfully prepared zirconium-based MOF particles on PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fiber textiles (denoted as PET@NH2-UiO-66 film) by a straightforward hydrothermal method and investigated visible-light-driven photocatalytic overall reduction of CO2. The powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy images demonstrate that the NH2-UiO-66 particles grew well on PET fiber textiles. The photocatalytic performance of the PET@NH2-UiO-66 film was studied in gas-solid and pure water systems without sacrificial agents. The photocatalytic results show that the PET@NH2-UiO-66 film has excellent photocatalytic activity, and reusability is better than that of the NH2-UiO-66 powder. By measuring the photocurrent response and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the results demonstrate that the electron-hole pairs of the film separate rapidly. Moreover, a possible mechanism of overall photoreduction of CO2 was proposed. This work provides a straightforward and simple strategy to design flexible and stable MOF films for visible-light-driven efficient overall photocatalytic reduction of CO2.

Automated summary

This study successfully prepared MOF films for photocatalytic CO2 reduction, achieving good photocatalytic activity and reusability. By measuring photocurrent response and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the PET@NH2-UiO-66 film, it was confirmed that the electron-hole pairs in the film separate rapidly.