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

The excessive emission of CO derived from the consumption of fossil fuels has caused severe energy and environmental crises. The electrochemical reduction of CO into value-added products such as CO not only reduces the CO 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 reduction reaction (CORR). Recently, MOF-derived transition metal-based catalysts have shown great potential for the CORR 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 to CO. The catalytic mechanism of the CORR 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 CORR to CO.