Metal–Organic Frameworks-Based Catalysts for Methane Production

Methane is important as an electrofuel (e-fuel), which can be efficiently converted into cleaner energy sources, thereby reducing carbon emissions and supporting the transition to sustainable energy. Because of their specific properties, metal–organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts have drawn significant attention to methane production, such as high surface area, multiple active sites, tunability, versatility, and porosity. With the growing progresses on MOFs and their catalytic behavior for methane production, this review focuses on how to enhance the performance of MOF-based catalysts through multicomponent design and stability improvements. It addresses the challenges faced in methane production using MOF-based catalysts and highlights the critical requirements for practical applications. The review summarizes strategies for designing catalysts with specific multicomponent features by using MOFs as precursors to construct multimetallic MOFs, single-atom MOF catalysts, and functional MOF composites. Moreover, recent advances in MOF-based catalysts, including their coordination structures and compositions for methane production and improved stability, are discussed. The review also provides an overview of the application of MOF-based catalysts in methane production, covering areas such as photocatalysis, electroreduction, and biomethane production. Finally, it outlines the challenges and suggests the future directions for the practical application of MOF-based catalysts in methane production.