Visible-light-promoted CO₂ conversion towards sustainability: advances using the UiO-67 MOF

Research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction has emerged as a transformative approach, addressing both sustainable fuel production and CO₂ utilization challenges. Among MOFs, UiO-67, constructed with a biphenyl dicarboxylate (bpdc) ligand, is an eminent Zr-based MOF within the UiO (University of Oslo) subclass. It possesses distinctive features such as high surface area, inherent porosity and exceptional stability, which make it stand out superior among other subclasses of MOFs. Its potential in the field of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction is outstanding. For tuning its catalytic applications, various modifications of the linker molecules particularly the 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (bpydc) ligand can be readily achieved with transition metals or photosensitizing units. However, despite its exceptional chemistry and growing research interest, it has been less explored. In this review, we have discussed key strategies that have enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency of the UiO-67 MOF, including linker functionalization, post-synthetic modifications, defect engineering, functionalization with nanoparticles, and the anchoring of photosensitizers. Overall, this feature article highlights the exceptional utility of UiO-67 in the field of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction to valuable chemical feedstocks.