Metal–Organic Frameworks for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction: From Catalytic Site Design to Microenvironment Modulation

Abstract

AbstractThe electrochemical reduction of CO2 to high‐value carbon‐based chemicals provides a sustainable approach to achieving an artificial carbon cycle. In the decade, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a kind of porous crystalline porous materials featuring well‐defined structures, large surface area, high porosity, diverse components, easy tailorability, and controllable morphology, have attracted considerable research attention, serving as electrocatalysts to drive CO2 reduction. In this review, the reaction mechanisms of electrochemical CO2 reduction and the structure/component advantages of MOFs meeting the requirements of electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction are analyzed. After that, the representative progress for the precise fabrication of MOF‐based electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction, focusing on catalytic site design and microenvironment modulation, are systemically summarized. Furthermore, the emerging applications and promising research for more practical scenarios related to electrochemical CO2 conversion are specifically proposed. Finally, the remaining challenges and future outlook of MOFs for electrochemical CO2 reduction are further discussed.