MOF Encapsulated AuPt Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Improved Plasmonic‐induced Photothermal Catalysis of CO2 Hydrogenation

Exploring new catalytic strategies for achieving efficient CO2 hydrogenation under mild conditions is of great significance for environmental remediation. Herein, a composite photocatalyst Zr‐based MOF encapsulated plasmonic AuPt alloy nanoparticles (AuPt@UiO‐66‐NH2) was successfully constructed for the efficient photothermal catalysis of CO2 hydrogenation. Under light irradiation at 150 °C, AuPt@UiO‐66‐NH2 achieved a CO production rate of 1451 μmol gmetal−1 h−1 with 91 % selectivity, which far exceeded those obtained by Au@Pt@UiO‐66‐NH2 with Pt shell on Au (599 μmol gmetal−1 h−1) and Au@UiO‐66‐NH2 (218 μmol gmetal−1 h−1). The outstanding performances of AuPt@UiO‐66‐NH2 were attributed to the synergetic effect originating from the plasmonic metal Au, doped active metal Pt, and encapsulation structure of UiO‐66‐NH2 shell. This work provides a new way for photothermal catalysis of CO2 and a reference for the design of high‐performance plasmonic catalysts. Porous UiO‐66‐NH2 encapsulated AuPt alloy NPs exhibit a significant enhancement in the CO2 hydrogenation under low temperature (150 °C). The outstanding performance of AuPt@UiO‐66‐NH2 was attributed to the synergetic effect induced by plasmonic metal Au, active metal Pt, and versatile substrate UiO‐66‐NH2. Importantly, the AuPt alloy structure retains both the optical behavior of plasmonic metal and the reactive behavior of catalytic metal. This construction strategy provides guidance for the preparation of high‐performance plasmonic catalysts.