Production of Methanol from Carbon Dioxide: Possibilities and Fundamental Challenges

Abstract

Carbon dioxide mitigation is one of major challenge faced by our society. Carbon dioxide is one of the main green house gases causing global warming. According to last year survey, all over the world pumped nearly 38.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide was pumped into air from burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, oil etc. To prevent mitigation of excessive carbon dioxide in atmosphere, CO2 capturing and utilization is vital. It has been studied that reduction of CO2 into renewable fuel and vital chemical is the best possible solution for CO2 utilization. Hydrogenation of CO2 to form methanol, were methanol is the energy source for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). At anode, methanol is reformed into carbon dioxide (CO2) while at cathode steam or water is formed using oxygen available in the air. This fuel cell can be used in portable applications. Methanol is used in producing solvents like the acetic acid, and an important feedstock in manufacture of paints, plastics etc. This review deals with the recent developments and upcoming challenges of CO2 utilization for the efficient production of methanol. This includes novel ideas, methodologies, and current difficulties for the production of CO2 to methanol through various ways like homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, electrochemical, photochemical, and photo electrochemical conversion, which will contribute to the economic growth in terms of producing useful products from waste and hinder the hazardous emissions for cleaner and safer environment. This review presents various state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies for CO2 conversion to methanol and aims to establish the advances in this area and present an overview of the recent research trend for future development. Carbon dioxide mitigation and conversion is presenting both an opportunity and a challenge worldwide for the sustainability, environment conservation and energy production.