Charge separation in hybrid metal–organic framework films for enhanced catalytic CO2 conversion

Abstract

CO₂ conversion has attracted widespread attention because CO₂ is a major issue in global warming. In this work, a hybrid metal–organic framework (MOF) film was successfully prepared by embedding PC₆₁BM ([6,6]-phenyl C₆₁ butyric acid methyl ester) into a CuTCPP (TCPP: meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine) film through a solid conversion process. The as-prepared PC₆₁BM/CuTCPP film exhibits a three-dimensional architecture composed of two-dimensional MOF nanosheets, having not only sufficient paths for mass transfer but also active sites exposed directly to substrates. The charge migration and separation in the heterojunction between PC₆₁BM and CuTCPP under light irradiation can dramatically improve the CO₂ conversion performance of the hybrid film. The CO₂ conversion proceeds rapidly even at room temperature and 1 atm with the PC₆₁BM@CuTCPP film as the catalyst, representing one of the best photocatalysis efficacies so far among MOF-based catalysts, with the conversion up to 92.4% and a turn-over-frequency of 36.0 h⁻¹. This work provides an insight into designing high-performance MOF-based catalysts for CO₂ conversion.