Electrocatalytic CO2 conversion on metal-organic frameworks derivative electrocatalysts

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived nanomaterials offer several competencies as viable electrocatalysts for converting notorious CO2 to value-added products with realistic electrochemical activity and stability without additional CO2 emission. This study discussed recent advancements in MOF-derivative nanomaterials for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to value-added chemicals/fuels. The corresponding active sites, activities, and selectivity for each MOF-derivative electrocatalysts for CO2RR were discussed. The synthetic techniques of MOF-derivatives with their corresponding regulations of compositions, structures, performance and modification strategies, and mechanistic aspects of CO2-electroreduction were discussed. Confinement engineering of MOF-derived nanomaterials and discussion on controlling the electrocatalytic performances via confinement engineering were discussed. Insight into the structure-activity relationships of MOF-derived electrocatalysts for CO2RR was explained. Detailed electrocatalytic performance towards forming different products on MOF-derived isolated (single) metal atoms, MOF-derived heteroatom-doped carbon, MOF-derived transition metal nanoparticles, MOF-derived transition metal oxide, and MOF-derived transition metal phosphide electrocatalysts were discussed. Distinct from the earlier reports, this study also discusses the key factors towards optimizing the efficiency of CO2RR electrocatalysts for promising performance. Various industrial prospects of CO2R on MOF-electrocatalysts were unveiled to bridge the research gaps. Despite some remarkable progress, the subject is in its infancy; several obstacles and shortfalls for future study still exist to advance this field into full-fledged commercial applications.