Metal organic frameworks for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction to CO with high selectivity: Mechanism and strategy

Photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction offers an alternative strategy for converting CO₂ into high-value added gaseous fuels, thereby paving the way for the development of clean and renewable energy. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by their highly porous structure, exceptional CO₂ adsorption capacity, and tunable architecture, have emerged as promising candidates for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. This review systematically examines the recent advancement in MOFs-based photocatalysts for CO₂ reduction to CO. It begins with the overview of the fundamental mechanisms and processes of MOFs towards photocatalytic CO₂ reduction. Subsequently, common strategies for the modulation of MOFs-based photocatalysts are summarized, including metallic site modification, functionalized ligand incorporation, morphological control, defect engineering, and heterostructure construction. Notably, the review analyzes the critical factors contributing to the high selectivity of CO₂ photoreduction to CO from both thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives. The conclusion addresses current challenges and future perspectives in designing highly efficient photocatalysts with abundant active sites, providing valuable insights for their continued development.