Metal organic framework-ionic liquid hybrid catalysts for the selective electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CH4

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 towards hydrocarbons is a promising technology that can utilize and prevent its atmospheric accumulation while simultaneously storing renewable energy. However, current electrolyzers remain impractical on large scale due to the low densities faradaic efficiencies (FE) various electrocatalysts. In this study, hybrid HKUST-1 metal-organic framework–fluorinated imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) electrocatalysts are designed selectively reduce CH4. An impressive FE 65.5% CH4 at −1.13 V achieved for HKUST-1/[BMIM][PF6] hybrid, with stable greater than 50% maintained least 9 h in an H-cell. observed improvements attributed increased local concentration improved CO2-to-CH4 thermodynamics presence RTIL molecules adsorbed HKUST-1-derived Cu clusters. These findings offer novel approach immobilizing co-catalysts within porous frameworks electroreduction applications.