Understanding Cu-loading dependent selectivity in Cu-MOF 808 catalysts towards CO2 hydrogenetion: a XAS/PXRD study

We developed a “one pot” synthesis to anchor Cu ions onto nano-MOFs 808 (Zr). We prepared a set of catalysts with different Cu-loading and chemical interaction with the Zr6 nodes, preserving the structure of MOF 808 (Zr). The performance of MOF-based catalysts in the hydrogenation of CO2 to C1 products highlights how effective MOFs architecture can be in achieving precise control over the chemical environment of the active site and thus the catalytic pathways. From our laboratory tests on Cu MOF-808 (Zr) at different Cu contents, we observed a significant Cu loading-dependent change in product selectivity. To rationalize the experimental findings and relate them to atomic-scale changes in Cu location and oxidation state in the metal organic structure, while checking the stability of the MOF scaffold, we propose to apply quasi-simultaneous XAS/PXRD to Cu-MOF 808 (Zr) catalysts with different copper amount under operando conditions during the CO2 hydrogenation reaction.