Pt–Ni alloy nanobead chains catalysts embedded in UiO-67 membrane for enhanced CO₂ conversion to CO

Fossil fuel depletion and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission have driven worldwide research on alternative processes for the production of commodity chemicals. The high-efficiency catalysts can convert CO₂ into high value-added products. Herein, the nanocable catalysts Pt–Ni@UiO-67 were assembled using Pt–Ni alloy nanobead chains as core in UiO-67: a UiO-67 membrane growing along their outer edge. The nanocable structure can inhibit agglomeration and sintering of the nanobead chains to improve catalytic activity. The conversion of CO₂ to CO reached 25.8% for Pt₃Ni@UiO-67 with a 13.2 nm-UiO-67 membrane, 12.3% for physically mixed Pt₃Ni/UiO-67, and 10.8% for Pt₃Ni@UiO-67_52.1 with a 52.1 nm-UiO-67 membrane, demonstrating that an appropriate thickness of the UiO-67 membrane in Pt₃Ni@UiO-67 can enhance CO₂ conversion to CO. Density functional theory calculations suggested that high CO₂ conversion is associated with highly dispersed Ni. This work provides a feasible strategy for improving catalyst performance.