Tin(II)-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Enabling Efficient, Selective Reduction of CO2 to Formate under Visible Light

Certain metal complexes are known as high-performance CO2 reduction photocatalysts driven by visible light. However, most of them rely on rare, precious metals as principal components, and integrating the functions of light absorption and catalysis into a single molecular unit based on abundant metals remains a challenge. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which can be regarded as intermediate compounds between molecules and inorganic solids, are potential platforms for the construction of a simple photocatalytic system composed only of Earth-abundant nontoxic elements. In this work, we report that a tin-based MOF enables the conversion of CO2 into formic acid with a record high apparent quantum yield (9.8 % at 400 nm) and >99 % selectivity without the need for any additional photosensitizer or catalyst. This work highlights a new MOF with strong potential for photocatalytic CO2 reduction driven by solar energy.

Automated summary

Researchers report a tin-based metal-organic framework that can convert CO2 into formic acid with a record high quantum yield of 9.8%, without the need for additional photosensitizers or catalysts. This study highlights the potential of metal-organic frameworks in photocatalytic CO2 reduction using solar energy.