UiO series of MOFs and their composites for photocatalytic CO2 reduction: A review

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to produce valuable fuels or chemicals is a promising CO2 utilization technology, which is of great significance for carbon emission reduction. The unique features of the UiO series of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), such as the excellent water and chemical stability, notable structural tunability, broad and adjustable light-harvesting capacity, strong electron-hole separation ability, and high porosity and specific surface area, make them a class of photocatalysts with great potential for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Significant progress has been made in the development of efficient UiO-based photocatalysts for CO2RR. This paper provides a summary of recent research advances in UiO-MOFs for photocatalytic CO2RR. The characteristics, synthesis methods, and modifications of UiO-based materials, along with their photocatalytic performance, are described. Various modification strategies for UiO-MOFs, including band-gap engineering, defect engineering, introduction of metal species, and construction of composite materials, are summarized and discussed. The challenges facing UiO-MOFs in photocatalytic CO2RR and potential future development directions are also presented. This review is intended to provide insights into CO2 photoreduction using UiO-based materials and to encourage further research and development in this promising field.