The origins of catalytic selectivity for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol

The electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful fuels and chemical feedstocks is an emerging route to alleviate global warming and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Methanol (CH3OH), as one of the most significant and widely used liquid fuels that can be generated by CO2 reduction, is essential in the chemical industry. In this minireview, we unravel the origins of the selective formation of CH3OH via CO2 reduction, including catalyst composition designs, local structure modulations, and electrolyte/catalyst interface regulations. Finally, the remaining challenges and perspectives for the CO2-to-CH3OH reduction are proposed.