Nearly 100% selective CO2 photoreduction to CO via Fe-modified amino acid-functionalized UiO-66

doi:10.1016/j.metadv.2026.02.035

Abstract

Abstract:

Photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into useful carbon-based fuels is a promising strategy for reducing excessive CO₂ emissions and addressing the global energy crisis. However, developing photocatalysts that achieve nearly 100% carbon monoxide (CO) selectivity while maintaining a high production rate remains a great challenge. Herein, a U-L-Fe metal-organic framework (MOF)-based photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a mixed-ligand strategy followed by light-induced deposition. As a result, U-L-Fe exhibits a high CO production rate of 9.50 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ with a remarkable selectivity of nearly 100% under visible light, surpassing those of previously reported metal-organic framework MOF-based catalysts. In situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identifies *COOH and *CO species as crucial intermediates in the photoreduction of CO₂ to CO. This work provides valuable insights for designing highly efficient MOF-based catalysts for CO₂ conversion and offers practical strategies for optimizing their activity.

Key words: CO₂ photoreduction, Metal-organic framework, High selectivity, Under visible light

Qincong Li, Ting Zhou, Menglu Wei, Weidong Shi. Nearly 100% selective CO₂ photoreduction to CO via Fe-modified amino acid-functionalized UiO-66[J]. Metals Advances, 2026, 42: 34-40.

Figures/Tables 4

Fig. 1. (a) Schematic illustration of the U-L-Fe fabrication process. (b) TEM image of U-L-Fe. (c) EDS mapping images of U-L-Fe. (d) XRD patterns of UiO-66, U-L and U-L-Fe. (e) N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms of UiO-66, U-L and U-L-Fe at 77 K. (f) Pore size distribution of UiO-66, U-L and U-L-Fe calculated according to N2 sorption isotherms. (g) CO2 adsorption-desorption isotherms of UiO-66, U-L and U-L-Fe at 298 K. (h) TGA curves of UiO-66, U-L and U-L-Fe. (i) FT-IR spectra of UiO-66, U-L and U-L-Fe. (j) Fe 2p XPS spectrum of U-L-Fe.

Fig. 2. (a) CO and H2 production rates of U-L-Fe, U-L and UiO-66. (b) Comparison of the photocatalytic activity for U-L-Fe, U-H-Fe, U-P-Fe and U-A-Fe. (c) CO2 photoreduction performance of U-L-Fe under different conditions. (d) Photocatalytic stability tests of U-L-Fe in five cycles. (e) Comparison of visible-light photocatalytic performance among MOF-based photocatalysts exhibiting nearly 100% selectivity.

Fig. 3. (a) UV-vis DRS, (b) Tauc plots and (c) steady-state PL spectra of UiO-66, U-L and U-L-Fe. (d) Mott-Schottky plots of U-L-Fe at various frequencies. (e) Nyquist plots and (f) photocurrent response spectra of UiO-66, U-L and U-L-Fe.

Fig. 4. (a) In situ FTIR spectra of U-L-Fe under visible-light irradiation. (b) Energy-level scheme showing the photo-induced electron transfer from [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 to U-L-Fe. (c) Proposed mechanism of CO2 photoreduction to CO over U-L-Fe.

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Nearly 100% selective CO₂ photoreduction to CO via Fe-modified amino acid-functionalized UiO-66

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