Carbon nanoparticles are decorated with ultrafine hafnium promethium nanowires. Exemplary nanowires of hafnium promethium oxide (e.g., Hf.sub.0.7Pm.sub.0.3O.sub.2) have been fabricated. The carbon nanoparticles decorated with hafnium promethium nanowires may be used in reactions for reducing carbon dioxide to methanol, and have applications as a photocatalyst for energy applications.

Carbon nanoparticles are decorated with ultrafine hafnium promethium nanowires. Exemplary nanowires of hafnium promethium oxide (e.g., Hf.sub.0.7Pm.sub.0.3O.sub.2) have been fabricated. The carbon nanoparticles decorated with hafnium promethium nanowires may be used in reactions for reducing carbon dioxide to methanol, and have applications as a photocatalyst for energy applications.

The invention relates to a method for producing methanol by the CO.sub.2 conversion route in a photocatalytic process, wherein a base liquid (A) in the form of demineralized and CO.sub.2-saturated water is provided to the reaction tank (1) and graphene material (B) is provided and the contents of the reaction tank (1) is exposed to electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in the UV-VIS-FIR range that is generated by an emitter (D). The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method.

The invention relates to a method for producing methanol by the CO.sub.2 conversion route in a photocatalytic process, wherein a base liquid (A) in the form of demineralized and CO.sub.2-saturated water is provided to the reaction tank (1) and graphene material (B) is provided and the contents of the reaction tank (1) is exposed to electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in the UV-VIS-FIR range that is generated by an emitter (D). The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method.

A compound having formula I that is useful for CO reduction is provided: ##STR00001##
wherein:
M is a transition metal;
X.sub.1, X.sub.2 are each independently a counterion; and
R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 are each independently H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.6-15 aryl, or C.sub.6-15 heteroaryl.

A compound having formula I that is useful for CO reduction is provided: ##STR00001##
wherein:
M is a transition metal;
X.sub.1, X.sub.2 are each independently a counterion; and
R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 are each independently H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.6-15 aryl, or C.sub.6-15 heteroaryl.

A compound having formula I that is useful for CO reduction is provided: ##STR00001##
wherein:
M is a transition metal;
X.sub.1, X.sub.2 are each independently a counterion; and
R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 are each independently H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.6-15 aryl, or C.sub.6-15 heteroaryl.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) having inorganic nodes that comprise an octahedral Hf.sub.6 cluster capped by eight .sub.3-ligands and having twelve octahedral edges, wherein the .sub.3-ligands are hydroxo ligands, oxo ligands or aquo ligands; and organic linkers connecting the organic nodes, the organic linkers comprising 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene units; wherein eight of the twelve octahedral edges of the inorganic nodes are connected to the 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene units are provided.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) having inorganic nodes that comprise an octahedral Hf.sub.6 cluster capped by eight .sub.3-ligands and having twelve octahedral edges, wherein the .sub.3-ligands are hydroxo ligands, oxo ligands or aquo ligands; and organic linkers connecting the organic nodes, the organic linkers comprising 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene units; wherein eight of the twelve octahedral edges of the inorganic nodes are connected to the 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene units are provided.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) having inorganic nodes that comprise an octahedral Hf.sub.6 cluster capped by eight .sub.3-ligands and having twelve octahedral edges, wherein the .sub.3-ligands are hydroxo ligands, oxo ligands or aquo ligands; and organic linkers connecting the organic nodes, the organic linkers comprising 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene units; wherein eight of the twelve octahedral edges of the inorganic nodes are connected to the 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene units are provided.