Local Weak Hydrogen Bonds Significantly Enhance CO_(2)Electroreduction Performances of a Metal-Organic Framework

Technological application of the electrochemical reduction of CO_(2)relies on efficient electrocatalysts.We demonstrate that the introduction of amino groups alongside the porphyrin cobalt centers in a metal-organic framework(MOF)can dramatically accelerate the electrochemical CO_(2)reduction performance.A classic cobalt porphyrin-based MOF showing moderate CO_(2)-to-CO electroreduction performance(turnover frequency[TOF]=0.20 s^(−1),Faradic efficiency[FE]=47.4%)is modified.By molecular design of the porphyrin-based ligand,amino groups are introduced alongside the cobalt center,giving remarkably enhanced CO_(2)-to-CO electroreduction performance as high as FE 99.4%,current density 7.2 mA cm^(−2),and TOF 21.17 s^(−1),in a nearneutral aqueous solution at a low overpotential of 525 mV.Density functional theory calculations showed that the prepositioned amino groups,although located not sufficiently close to the active center,serve as hydrogen-bonding donors to stabilize the intermediate Co-CO_(2)adduct and impede the formation of Co-H_(2)O adduct,which not only promotes the CO_(2)reduction reaction but also restrains the hydrogen evolution reaction.