Synthesis of boron imidazolate frameworks with cobalt clusters for efficient visible-light driven CO2 reduction

Abstract

Photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into chemical fuel is highly appealing to reduce the atmospheric CO₂ level and fulfil the future energy demand. Here, we demonstrate a crystalline porous boron imidazolate framework (BIF-101) exhibiting trinuclear cobalt clusters as connecting nodes and preferable CO₂ capture. Furthermore, it exhibits highly efficient photocatalytic performance for CO₂ reduction with a CO evolution rate up to 5830 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under visible-light irradiation. The electron transfer from a ruthenium-based photosensitizer to BIF-101 is studied via fluorescence emission quenching and electrochemistry experiments.