MOF-derived transition metal-based catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to CO: a mini review.

The excessive emission of CO 2 derived from the consumption of fossil fuels has caused severe energy and environmental crises. The electrochemical reduction of CO 2 into value-added products such as CO not only reduces the CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere but also promotes sustainable development in chemical engineering. Thus, tremendous work has been devoted to developing highly efficient catalysts for the selective CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR). Recently, MOF-derived transition metal-based catalysts have shown great potential for the CO 2 RR due to their various compositions, adjustable structures, competitive ability, and acceptable cost. Herein, based on our work, a mini-review is proposed for an MOF-derived transition metal-based catalyst for the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to CO. The catalytic mechanism of the CO 2 RR was first introduced, and then we summarized and analyzed the MOF-derived transition metal-based catalysts in terms of MOF-derived single atomic metal-based catalysts and MOF-derived metal nanoparticle-based catalysts. Finally, we present the challenges and perspectives for the subject topic. Hopefully, this review could be helpful and instructive for the design and application of MOF-derived transition metal-based catalysts for the selective CO 2 RR to CO.