Stabilization of few-atom metal catalysts in 3D nano-cage architecture for conversion of CO2 into high-value hydrocarbon

Unfortunately, we are still releasing too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and changing our climate. Suppose we find a solution that efficiently transforms CO2 into high-value hydrocarbons like CO, methane, and ethylene; then, we can consider CO2 a valuable resource instead. This could be achieved by employing a catalyst in an electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) fueled by green energy. Ultra-small metal nanoclusters (NCs) have emerged as electrocatalysts due to their large surface area and abundant unsaturated active sites. However, surface ligands and strong agglomeration tendency limit NCs' catalytic activity. 

To solve this, we place the NCs as guests into a well-defined crystalline porous host material (3D nanocage). Here, metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs) emerge as excellent to house NCs due to wellcontrollable pore size and high internal surface area (call this NCs@MOF). However, the catalytic activity of NCs@MOF still depends upon the optimization of synthesis process, stability of ligand-free NCs and their 3D distribution inside the 3D nano-cage. I want to investigate structural stability of this composite with atom precision under operating conditions (mimicking CO2RR) using environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) and reveal 3D distribution of NCs stabilized within “3D nano-cage” architecture. The new findings are an essential prerequisite for further investigations of NCs@MOF as CO2RR electrocatalysts.