Catalysts for the Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol

Abstract Anthropogenic activities powered by the burning of fossil fuels have caused excessive emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. This has a negative impact on our environment. One promising approach to reduce the concentration of atmospheric CO2 is to convert it to useful products. This could be achieved via the electrochemical reduction of CO2 using renewable electricity. Methanol (CH3OH), a valuable fuel and feedstock, is one of the CO2 electroreduction products. However, its formation, thus far, has been plagued by the inadequacy of functional electrocatalysts. In this review, we summarize progresses made in the development of methanol-selective electrocatalysts, which provides us with a basis to discuss the underlying challenges of electroreducing CO2 to methanol.