Search

Organic transformation by light-driven catalysis, especially, photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis, denoted as photo(thermal) catalysis, is an efficient, green, and economical route to produce value-added compounds. In recent years, owing to their diverse structure types, tunable pore sizes, and abundant active sites, metal–organic framework (MOF)-based photo(thermal) catalysis has attracted broad interest in organic transformations. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of MOF-based photo(thermal) catalysis for organic transformations. First, the general mechanisms, unique advantages, and strategies to improve the performance of MOFs in photo(thermal) catalysis are discussed. Then, outstanding examples of organic transformations over MOF-based photo(thermal) catalysis are introduced according to the reaction type. In addition, several representative advanced characterization techniques used for revealing the charge reaction kinetics and reaction intermediates of MOF-based organic transformations by photo(thermal) catalysis are presented. Finally, the prospects and challenges in this field are proposed. This review aims to inspire the rational design and development of MOF-based materials with improved performance in organic transformations by photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving industrial-level current density and pH-universal CO2 reduction using single atom catalysts is a significant but challenging task. In this work, we demonstrate that isolated cobalt–nitrogen sites supported on high-curvature carbon could achieve industrial-level current density and pH-universal CO2 electroreduction to CO. In an H-type cell, the catalyst achieves a remarkable maximum CO faradaic efficiency of 98.2%, while maintaining CO faradaic efficiency above 90% over a wide potential window from −0.4 to −1.4 V vs. RHE. In a gas-diffusion flow cell, the CO faradaic efficiency could reach 98.9%, 96.5% and 98.6% in alkaline, acidic and neutral electrolytes, respectively. Impressively, the CO current density could reach 437, 337 and 367 mA cm−2, exceeding industrial-level current density requirements. In situ characterization studies coupled with theoretical calculations reveal that compared with the planar cobalt–nitrogen structure, the curved cobalt–nitrogen structure could effectively activate CO2, facilitate *COOH formation and inhibit the hydrogen evolution reaction, thus affording high activity, selectivity and pH-universal feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combined ultrasound-vapour phase diffusion technique was used for the rapid synthesis of a terbium-based metal–organic framework (MOF), [Tb(1,3,5-BTC)]n. Compared with conventional solvothermal and ultrasound-assisted methods, such a kind of combined ultrasound-vapour phase diffusion technique is highly sufficient for synthesizing nanoscale MOF crystals in remarkably high yields. Significantly, the as-prepared [Tb(1,3,5-BTC)]n nanocrystals exhibited highly selective sensing of picric acid (PA) without the interference of other nitroaromatic compounds such as nitrobenzene, 2-nitrotoluene, 4-nitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and 2,6-dinitrotoluene. This makes them a potential candidate for developing novel luminescence sensors for the highly selective sensing of PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]