High selectivity of photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO based on terpyridine ligand supported CuI metal organic framework

In this work, a 4’-(4-cynaophenyl)-4,2’:6′,4-terpyridine supported Cu I MOFs photocatalyst ( Cu I MOF ) was applied to the photocatalytic CO 2 reduction for the first time. The micro-structural and physicochemical properties of the Cu I MOF were systematically studied by the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-Vis diffuse spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), ns-level photoluminescence spectra (ns-level PL), Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and N 2 adsorption-desorption test (BET-BJH). Moreover, the in situ diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy ( in situ DRIFTS) was applied to investigate the adsorption and reaction intermediates of photocatalytic CO 2 reduction. As a result, Cu I MOF exhibited good performance and outstanding selectivity toward photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 to CO under full-spectrum and visible light illumination. Notably, 100% selective photocatalytic conversion of CO 2 to CO was achieved. Thus, the study presents the high selectivity and CO 2 reduction efficiency of Cu I MOF as a potential family of photocatalysts.