Development of Mn/Cu Bi-Metallic MOF for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction into Valuable Products /

Abstract

The development of affordable, functional, as well as highly discerning catalysts is of vital relevance to enhance the electrochemical reduction of CO2 into useful products and chemical feedstock and to reduce excessive carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. In this study, a novel electro-catalyst made of MnO and CuO nanoparticles fixed on Mn:Cu (1:2)@MOF is presented. The impressive current density of nearly -58mAcm-2 at -2 V vs. Ag/AgCl (reference electrode) in 0.1M aqueous KHCO3 electrolyte with nearly 54% faradic efficiency of methane and 52% of CO using two compartments H-cell is the result of these nanocomposites multiple active sites for electro-chemical carbon dioxide reduction. This performance stands in stark contrast to the Mn:Cu(1:1)@MOF and Mn:Cu(2:1)@MOF, which, under equivalent cathodic voltages, exhibit current densities of -56mAcm-2 and -51mAcm-2, respectively. The outstanding catalytic performance is attributed to the interaction of nanoparticles with MOFs, which enables improved CO2 molecule absorption and activation due to accessible metallic components and unrivaled 2-D creation of Mn:Cu(1:2)@MOF. These findings offer a simple method for converting CO2 into worthwhile goods using an analytical MOF alloy composition.