Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to High-Value Multicarbon Products with Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Derived Materials

The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) holds great potential in promoting carbon neutral through effectively converting CO2 molecules to useful chemicals and fuels. The high-efficiency electrochemical conversion of CO2 to single-carbon products has been well realized, while more efforts are needed for the generation of high-value multicarbon products. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), featuring porous structures, high chemical tunability, and ultralarge surface area, have attracted increasing attention in the electrochemical CO2RR. Herein, we review the recent progress of electrocatalytic CO2RR on MOF-based materials toward multicarbon products. First, the structure of MOFs is briefly introduced. Then, the electrocatalytic CO2RR performance and the corresponding catalytic mechanism of pristine MOFs (classified according to the kind of organic ligands/linkers) and MOF-derived materials (including metal nanomaterials, single-atom catalysts and nanocomposites) toward the multicarbon product generation are systematically discussed. Finally, critical challenges and potential opportunities are highlighted to inspire the rational design and targeted synthesis of advanced MOF-based materials for high-performance electrocatalytic CO2 reduction toward multicarbon products.

Automated summary

This review article summarizes the recent progress of using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as electrocatalysts for the generation of multicarbon products from CO2 reduction. The electrocatalytic performance and catalytic mechanisms of pristine MOFs and MOF-derived materials towards multicarbon product generation are systematically discussed, including the challenges and opportunities for the rational design and synthesis of advanced MOF-based materials.