Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol: Carbonaceous Materials, Kinetics, Industrial Feasibility, and Future Directions

Photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction (PCCR) for methanol synthesis (CH3OH) targeting renewable energy resources is an attractive way to create a sustainable environment and also balance the carbon-neutral series. The application of PCCR to methanol enables the generation of solar energy while reducing CO2, killing two birds with one stone in terms of energy and the environment. In recent years, research on CO2 utilization has focused on hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol due to global warming. This article mainly focuses on selective carbonaceous materials such as graphene, mesoporous carbon, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as catalysts for heterogeneous photocatalytic CO2 reduction to methanol. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on the state of the art of PCCR catalysts as this type of research will be of great benefit for further development in this field. The main features of the reaction kinetics, techno-economic study, and current technological developments in PCCR are covered in detail.