Ultrastable Cu-Based Dual-Channel Heterowire for the Switchable Electro-/Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2.

ABSTRACT

Catalytic conversion of CO2 into high value-added chemicals using renewable energy is an attractive strategy for the management of CO2 . However, achieving both efficiency and product selectivity remains a great challenge. Herein, a brand-new family of 1D dual-channel heterowires, Cu NWs@MOFs are constructed by coating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on Cu nanowires (Cu NWs) for electro-/photocatalytic CO2 reductions, where Cu NWs act as an electron channel to directionally transmit electrons, and the MOF cover acts as a molecule/photon channel to control the products and/or undertake photoelectric conversion. Through changing the type of MOF cover, the 1D heterowire is switched between electrocatalyst and photocatalyst for the reduction of CO2 with excellent selectivity, adjustable products, and the highest stability among the Cu-based CO2 RR catalysts, which leads to heterometallic MOF covered 1D composite, and especially the first 1D/1D-type Mott-Schottky heterojunction. Considering the diversity of MOF materials, the ultrastable heterowires offer a highly promising and feasible solution for CO2 reduction.