Metal–organic framework-based catalysts toward the electrosynthesis of urea

Abstract

Nitrogen-based fertilizer, primarily urea, production generates 2.1% of global CO₂ emissions through the energy-intensive Bosch–Meiser process. Electrochemical urea synthesis offers a sustainable alternative by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. While numerous review articles have focused on the electrocatalytic synthesis of urea using nanostructures or heterostructures composed of transition metal alloys that leverage the synergistic effects of distinct metal catalytic sites, no comprehensive reviews have explored the application of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in this context. Following the publication of the Nature Synthesis paper in 2024, which reported a nearly fivefold increase in yield rate compared to existing catalysts, we revisited the electrosynthesis of urea using MOF materials. Over the past two years, a few high-impact papers have been published on MOF-based materials, which have emerged as promising catalysts for electrochemical urea synthesis, demonstrating notable efficiency and stability. This review aims to highlight these MOF-based materials, their catalytic performance, and underlying mechanism in electrocatalytic urea synthesis.