Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 Catalyzed by the Metal- Organic Framework MFM 300(Ga)

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to carbon fuels is an important target but highly challenging to achieve. Here, we report the efficient photoconversion of CO2 into formic acid over a Ga(III)-based metal-organic framework (MOF) material using triethanolamine as the sacrificial agent. Under light irradiation and at room temperature, photoreduction of CO2 over MFM-300(Ga) yields formic acid with a selectivity of 100%, a high productivity of 502 +/- 18 mu mol.g(cat)(-1).h(-1), and excellent catalytic stability. In situ electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that MFM-300(Ga) promotes the generation of CO2 center dot- radical anions as a reaction intermediate driven by strong binding and activation of CO2 molecules at the bridging -OH sites within the pore. This study represents the first example of a Ga(III)-based MOF catalyst for CO2 reduction.

Automated summary

This study reports the efficient photoconversion of CO2 into formic acid using a Ga(III)-based metal-organic framework (MOF) material and triethanolamine as the sacrificial agent. The catalyst shows high selectivity, productivity, and stability, and promotes the generation of CO2 center dot- radical anions as a reaction intermediate.