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Catalytic CO₂-to-methanol conversion: recent advances and future perspectives
A new review highlights the state of the art in catalytic CO₂-to-methanol conversion, covering established Cu-based catalysts as well as innovative approaches using MOFs and AI-assisted catalyst design.
The catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol is a crucial step towards reducing CO₂ emissions and producing sustainable chemical feedstocks. A recent review summarises the latest developments in catalyst research and provides a detailed analysis of both established and emerging methodologies.
Thermocatalysis using Cu-based catalysts remains the most mature approach, with improvements in efficiency achieved through particle size regulation, surface modification and optimisation of active site distribution. In addition, alternative approaches such as homogeneous, heterogeneous, electro- and photocatalytic systems are discussed.
Reading tip: Sustainability
Learn more about current approaches to produce coatings in a more environmentally friendly way and to give coated products a longer service life in the EC Tech Report Sustainability. In addition, its handpicked content dives deeply into the European Green Deal, its key points and main purpose as well as consequences for the coatings industry.
Novel materials and integrated systems
Advanced materials, such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), MXenes and single-atom catalysts, offer improved adsorption capacity, conductivity and catalytic activity.
Synergistic systems integrating electrocatalysis and photocatalysis with renewable energy sources show particular promise. Emerging concepts such as dynamic catalysis, AI-driven catalyst discovery and innovative design strategies are also considered to address the challenges of industrial scalability. The overall goal is to achieve sustainable and competitive methanol production on an industrial scale.
Source: Green Chemistry, Issue 30, 2025
