Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO 2 Catalyzed by the Metal–Organic Framework MFM-300(Ga)

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to carbon fuels is an important target but highly challenging to achieve. Here, we report the efficient photoconversion of CO2 into formic acid over a Ga(III)-based metal–organic framework (MOF) material using triethanolamine as the sacrificial agent. Under light irradiation and at room temperature, photoreduction of CO2 over MFM-300(Ga) yields formic acid with a selectivity of 100%, a high productivity of 502 ± 18 μmol·gcat−1·h−1, and excellent catalytic stability. In situ electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that MFM-300(Ga) promotes the generation of CO2•− radical anions as a reaction intermediate driven by strong binding and activation of CO2 molecules at the bridging –OH sites within the pore. This study represents the first example of a Ga(III)-based MOF catalyst for CO2 reduction. \n \n