Recent progress on electrochemical reduction of CO2 to methanol

Methanol is a future energy carrier because of its high volume-specific energy density and a significant intermediate for many bulk chemicals. Electrochemical reduction is a promising method to fabricate methanol (CH3OH) from carbon dioxide (CO2) where electrocatalyst, reactor configuration, and electrode play an essential role. In this review, seven types of electrocatalysts, that is, metal alloys, metal oxides, metal chalcogenides and carbides, metal–organic complexes, metal–free pyridine and metal–organic framework–based electrocatalysts, as well as the effect of reactor configuration and electrode were comprehensively summarized. Finally, challenges and perspectives on developing electrocatalysts were highlighted.