Metal-organic framework nanocomposites: Engineering and morphological advances for photocatalytic CO2 conversion into fuel

Global industrialization and fossil fuel consumption have elevated CO₂ levels and caused global warming, causing catastrophes worldwide. Given this reality, removing CO₂ from the atmosphere and transforming acquired CO₂ into value-added resources like fuels and chemical feedstock is imperative to build a circular economy. The use of MOFs and their derivatives in CO₂ photocatalytic conversion is eco-friendly and could alleviate future fuel shortages. Modern photocatalysts MOFs, consist of hybrid organic ligand, and inorganic nodal metals with customizable morphology. MOF flexible rational design allows several active sites to be added to a framework, generating a complex photocatalytic system. The first half critically studied morphology, photocatalytic reduction mechanism, pristine MOF applications, and MOF modification/functionalization for photocatalytic reduction of CO₂. Their catalytic performance is currently insufficient for industrial usage because to poor light-harvesting and electron-hole separation. Researchers created MOF nanocomposites with many benefits by adding guest compounds. Morphological alterations, sensitization with polymers, plasmonic metals, and heterojunction generation with type I, type II, type III, and Z-scheme for MOF nanocomposites represent the current status of this large and significant research topic in the second half of paper. We presented the progress in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction into fuels and chemical feedstock using MOF nanocomposites. This review discussed MOF nanocomposites' photocatalytic merits and cons and stimulate the advancement of more efficient and broadly applicable photocatalysts. The broad range of work assembled in this review will be very valuable to a wide spectrum of research on worldwide CO₂ abatement.