Progress on Cu-based metal-organic frameworks for high-efficiency electrochemical CO2 conversion

Cutting global carbon emissions and reaching carbon neutrality have been hot topics to mitigate climate change and global warming. Electrocatalysis treatment is a promising prospect for selectively conversion of CO2 into valuable products. However, the reduction process of CO2 is non-spontaneous and slow, relying on externally provided energy and catalysts. Cu-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and its derivatives are highly desirable because of their superior electrocatalytic activity and their well-defined active sites. However, the reviews of the mechanism for ligand in Cu-MOF and related reactors are relatively few. Hence, this review highlights the diverse Cu-MOF electrocatalysts and their applications in converting CO2 into value chemicals. Firstly, fundamentals of MOFs and electrocatalytic CO2 reduction are discussed to provide insight into the mechanisms of enhanced electrocatalysis. Different Cu-MOFs are then discussed based on their preparation methods, structures and CO2 reduction performances. We present an in-depth analysis of the relationships between different Cu-MOF structures and catalytic mechanism. Finally, we summarize the current electrocatalytic CO2 reactor and the series reactor.