Recent advances and challenges in electrochemical CO2 reduction to CH4

Abstract

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction (ECR) to hydrocarbon products is an attractive pathway to decrease CO₂ emission and advance a carbon-neutral process. Among the products of ECR, methane (CH₄) stands out due to its high calorific value, serving as the main component of natural gas. However, the development of ECR catalysts capable of producing CH₄ with both high activity and stability remains critically urgent. This review summarizes and explores the research progress and future application strategies for ECR toward CH₄ production. Combining experiments, in-situ characterizations, and theoretical calculations, this review examines mechanism of CH₄ formation in ECR. It then clarifies key factors affecting Cu-based catalysts for CH₄ production, including facet dependence, size effects, and valence states. Next, this review details emerging strategies such as sub-nanoscale catalysts, Cu/oxides interface engineering, and Cu surface modification. Finally, future directions highlight in-situ characterization, reactor design, and high-throughput screening, guiding industrial CH₄ production.