The role of reticular chemistry in the design of CO2 reduction catalysts

• Published in: Nature materials Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 301 - 307
• Main Authors: Diercks, Christian S., Liu, Yuzhong, Cordova, Kyle E., Yaghi, Omar M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.04.2018; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/638; 639/638/298/921; Atomic structure; Biomaterials; Carbon dioxide; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Construction materials; Materials Science; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optoelectronics; Perspective; Porous materials; Reduction; Selectivity; Stability
• ISSN: 1476-1122; 1476-4660; 1476-4660
• DOI: 10.1038/s41563-018-0033-5

The problem with current state-of-the-art catalysts for CO 2 photo- or electroreduction is rooted in the notion that no single system can independently control, and thus optimize, the interplay between activity, selectivity and efficiency. At its core, reticular chemistry is recognized for its ability to control, with atomic precision, the chemical and structural features (activity and selectivity) as well as the output optoelectronic properties (efficiency) of porous, crystalline materials. The molecular building blocks that are in a reticular chemist’s toolbox are chosen in such a way that the structures are rationally designed, framework chemistry is performed to integrate catalytically active components, and the manner in which these building blocks are connected endows the material with the desired optoelectronic properties. The fact that these aspects can be fine-tuned independently lends credence to the prospect of reticular chemistry contributing to the design of next-generation CO 2 reduction catalysts. Catalysts for CO 2 photo- or electroreduction must balance activity, selectivity and efficiency. Here, the authors discuss the use of metal–organic frameworks for these processes and the role reticular chemistry may play in designing new catalysts.