MOF-Derived Doped Porous Carbon-Based Catalysts for CO2 Electroreduction: Design, Mechanisms, and Scale-Up

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) offers a promising strategy to mitigate climate change by converting CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels using renewable energy. Metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon catalysts, particularly those doped with alkali and transition metals, have gained significant attention for their tunable porosity, high surface area, and ability to accommodate well-dispersed active sites. These materials exhibit promising catalytic performance, enhanced selectivity, and stability. However, challenges remain in their controllable synthesis, mechanistic understanding, and scalability, which hinder their practical application in large-scale CO2RR processes. This review systematically analyzes recent developments in MOF-derived carbon electrocatalysts for CO2RR, focusing on synthesis strategies, including precursor selection, pyrolysis conditions, and doping methods. We explore the roles of transition metal sites and alkali metal ions in modulating CO2 adsorption, intermediate stabilization, and product selectivity. The review highlights the need for deeper mechanistic insights, emphasizing in situ and operando characterization coupled with computational modeling. Additionally, we discuss advancements in scaling up CO2RR systems, the integration of machine learning and high-throughput screening, and the design of standardized protocols for reproducible catalyst synthesis. The review concludes by outlining key research directions and challenges, offering a roadmap for the development of efficient and scalable CO2RR catalysts for sustainable energy and chemical production.