High-throughput screening of nano-hybrid metal-organic-frameworks for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction

Photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into fuel feed stocks is a promising method for sustainable fuel production. A highly attractive class of materials, inorganic-core@metal-organic-framework heterogeneous catalysts, boasts a significant increase in catalytic performance when compared to the individual materials. However, due to the ever-expanding chemical space of inorganic-core catalysts and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), identification of these optimal heterojunctions is difficult without appropriate computational screening. In this work, a novel high-throughput screening method of nano-hybrid photocatalysts is presented by screening 65 784 inorganic-core materials and 20 375 MOF-shells for their ability to reduce CO₂ based on their synthesizability, aqueous stability, visible light absorption, and electronic structure; the passing materials were then paired based on their electronic structure to create novel heterojunctions. The results showed 58 suitable inorganic-core materials and 204 suitable MOFs ranging from never-before-synthesized catalysts to catalysts that have been overlooked for their photocatalytic ability. These materials lay a new foundation of photocatalysts that have passed theoretical requirements and can significantly increase the rate of catalyst discovery.