Copper Nanoparticles Installed in Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films are Electrocatalytically Competent for CO₂ Reduction

Abstract

Copper nanoparticles are embedded into a solvothermally grown thin film of a zirconium metal–organic framework (MOF), NU-1000, by installing single-site Cu(II) into the NU-1000 thin film via solvothermal deposition in MOFs (SIM) followed by electrochemical reduction of Cu(II) to metallic Cu. The obtained Cu nanoparticles are electrochemically addressable and exhibit promising electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction in an aqueous electrolyte.