Ni-MOF nanoflowers as photocatalyst for carbon-dioxide conversion to solar fuels

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into valuable hydrocarbons, such as alkanes, alkenes, and polycarbonates, offers a promising strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while generating sustainable fuels. This study investigates Nickel-based Metal-Organic Frameworks (Ni-MOFs) as efficient photocatalysts for CO 2 reduction and converting alcohols, particularly propanol, into alkanes such as propane. Synthesized Ni-MOFs using 2-methyl imidazole as the organic linker exhibit high surface area and tunable pore sizes, enhancing their catalytic performance. Under visible-light irradiation, these photocatalysts demonstrate remarkable activity in converting CO 2 into hydrocarbons with high selectivity and yield. The improved performance is attributed to strong electronic interactions between nickel ions and organic linkers, facilitating efficient charge separation and transfer. This work underscores Ni-MOFs' potential in sustainable CO 2 valorization, offering an innovative approach to renewable hydrocarbon production. • Ultrasonically synthesized Ni-MOF serves as a photocatalyst for the photoconversion of CO 2 to solar fuel. • Ni-MOF pore diameter is 3.54 Å show appreciable surface characteristics. • TGA analysis highlights that Ni-MOF has maximum stability at 300–500˚C. • CO 2 conversion is confirmed using a Gas Chromatogram.