This review discusses design principles, preparation approaches, and performance achievements of metal-organic frameworks (MOF)-based Cu catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction to C2+ products. The correlation between synthesis, composition/structure, and catalytic properties was critically discussed to reveal catalytic mechanisms and performance-determining factors. The strategies are suggested to address the remaining challenges for designing advanced MOF-based Cu catalysts for CO2-to-C2+ transformation.
Abstract:
Copper (Cu) is the most promising catalyst for electrochemical CO2-to-C2+ conversion, whereas performance remains below practical thresholds due to the high energy barrier of C−C coupling and lack of effective approaches to steer the reaction pathway. Recent advances show that metal-organic frameworks (MOF) could be a promising platform as support, pre-catalyst, and co-catalyst to modify the electronic structure and local reaction environment of Cu catalysts for promoting CO2-to-C2+ reduction by virtue of their great tunability over compositions and pore architectures. In this review, we discussed general design principles, catalytic mechanisms, and performance achievements of MOF-based Cu catalysts, aiming to boost catalyst refinement for steering CO2 reduction pathway to C2+ products. The fundamentals and challenges of CO2-to-C2+ reduction are first introduced. Then, we summarized design conceptions of MOF-based Cu catalysts from three aspects: engineering the electronic properties of Cu, regulating the local reaction environment, and managing site exposure and mass transport. Further, the latest progress of CO2 reduction to C2+ products over MOF-based Cu catalysts, namely Cu-based MOF, MOF-derived Cu, and Cu@MOF hybrid catalysts, are discussed. Finally, future research opportunities and strategies are suggested to innovate the rational design of advanced MOF-based Cu catalysts for electrifying CO2-to-C2+ transformation.
Author list:
Chen Qin†, Xuheng Li†, Ting Wang, Zhen Xu*, Kai-Jie Chen*, Fuping Pan*
How to cite:
C. Qin, X. Li, T. Wang, Z. Xu, K.-J. Chen, F. Pan, Exploration 2025, 70011.
https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.70011