Lanthanide-containing clusters for catalytic water splitting and CO2 conversion

Abstract

Water splitting and CO2 conversion involving the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), overall water splitting, CO2 reduction, and CO2 chemical fixation are promising strategies to alleviate the energy crisis and excessive CO2 emissions. Lanthanide-containing clusters (LnCCs) are emerging as unique catalysts for these reactions owing to their unparalleled advantages such as their unique electronic structures, high coordination numbers, abundant coordination geometries, and adjustable crystal structures. In this review, we summarize recent progress made in the catalytic application of LnCCs, including lanthanide clusters, lanthanide–transition metal clusters, lanthanide-cluster-based metal–organic frameworks, and cluster composites for water splitting and CO2 conversion. In particular, we emphasize the synthesis, crystal structure, and catalytic mechanism of these complexes, as well as their synergistic effects in catalytic water splitting and CO2 conversion reactions. Moreover, based on issues discovered in the current applications of LnCCs, we provide our own perspectives for future research in this field.