Innovations in Nanocomposite Photocatalysts for CO2 to CH3OH Conversion

Nowadays, the excessive use of fossil fuels has led to a global energy shortage and exacerbated the greenhouse effect. One of the main contributors to the greenhouse effect is the excessive emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). Therefore, to achieve sustainable development and harmonious symbiosis between humans and nature, reducing CO2 emission has become a global concern. Converting CO2 into value-added products can effectively address this issue. At present, the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 using synthetic nanocomposites is a common method. Among the products of photocatalytic CO2 reduction, methanol (CH3OH) shows promise as a new clean fuel and basic chemical raw material, with potential to reduce energy consumption. This paper reviews the research progress of photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CH3OH in recent years. The difficulties and challenges in the photocatalytic process, along with potential solutions, are briefly discussed. Finally, the future prospects of this research are outlined.