(569a) In-Situ Restructuring of MOF Photocatalyst for CO2 Reduction

As the global quest for sustainable energy keeps rising, exploring novel efficient and practical photocatalysts remains a research and industrial urge. Herein, we report the photo-methanation activity of three isostructural MOFs, NbOFFIVE-1-Ni, AlFFIVE-1-Ni and FeFFIVE-1-Ni, having previously demonstrated exceptional CO₂ capture abilities from thin air. Through a comprehensive comparison between the three candidates, a structure-performance correlation is established, with NbOFFIVE-1-Ni performing best with a CO₂ to CH₄ conversion rate of 750 µmol/h*g_catalyst and 97% selectivity under mild conditions. The in-depth characterization of the Nb-based MOF before and after catalysis reveals the in-situ formation of Nb₂CT_x/Nb₂O₅ active heterojunctions on the surface of the crystalline framework. This light-induced restructuring process introduces a facile and concurrent MOF activation approach for clean energy purposes.