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

Abstract

The 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.