Sustainable methanol production from carbon dioxide: advances, challenges, and future prospects

The urgent need to address global carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy solutions has led to a growing interest in carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion technologies. Among these, the transformation of CO₂ into methanol (MeOH) has gained prominence as an effective mitigation strategy. This review paper provides a comprehensive exploration of recent advances and applications in the direct utilization of CO₂ for the synthesis of MeOH, encompassing various aspects from catalysts to market analysis, environmental impact, and future prospects. We begin by introducing the current state of CO₂ mitigation strategies, highlighting the significance of carbon recycling through MeOH production. The paper delves into the chemistry and technology behind the conversion of CO₂ into MeOH, encompassing key themes such as feedstock selection, material and energy supply, and the various conversion processes, including chemical, electrochemical, photochemical, and photoelectrochemical pathways. An in-depth analysis of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts for MeOH synthesis is provided, shedding light on the advantages and drawbacks of each. Furthermore, we explore diverse routes for CO₂ hydrogenation into MeOH, emphasizing the technological advances and production processes associated with this sustainable transformation. As MeOH holds a pivotal role in a wide range of chemical applications and emerges as a promising transportation fuel, the paper explores its various chemical uses, transportation, storage, and distribution, as well as the evolving MeOH market. The environmental and energy implications of CO₂ conversion to MeOH are discussed, including a thermodynamic analysis of the process and cost and energy evaluations for large-scale catalytic hydrogenation.