Metal-organic framework-based photocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction to methanol: A review on progress and application

Due to global warming and shortage of energy, the demand for sustainable energy sources has been increased over the years. Among all, carbon emission has a significant contribution to the problem of global warming thus, it is required to convert it into sustainable energy. This opportunity can be targeted with a green chemistry route and incorporating unique compounds like Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) through phototechnology. MOFs are used in many fields like energy storage, heterogeneous catalysis, gas sensing, and gas storage, thus found to be very promising. MOFs can be used as both CO2 capture materials and as an effective photocatalyst to yield value-added products. The photocatalytic CO2 conversion through MOFs can be conducted either by using pure MOFs as a catalyst or by structural modification through linkers and metal nodes or constructing hybrid systems. Several value-added products like methane, formaldehyde, ethane, and carbon monoxide can be produced during the photocatalytic CO2 reduction process. In this review, synthesis of MOF, performance parameters, recent technologies, significant developments, and MOF based photocatalyst for carbon dioxide conversion to methanol has been discussed. This helps to evaluate the progress, application, and opportunities to explore the possibility of modified forms of metal-organic framework-based photocatalysts for the conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol. Finally, the conclusions and future perspectives of MOF-based photocatalytic CO2 reduction system also been deliberated.