Heterogeneous Electrocatalysis of Carbon Dioxide to Methane

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to valued products is a promising way to mitigate the greenhouse effect, as this reaction makes use of the excess CO2 in the atmosphere and at the same time forms valued fuels to partially fulfill the energy demand for human beings. Among these valued products, methane is considered a high-value product with a high energy density. This review systematically summarizes the recently studied reaction mechanisms for CO2 electroreduction to CH4. It guides us in designing effective electrocatalysts with an improved electrocatalytic performance. In addition, we briefly summarize the recent progress on CO2 electroreduction into CH4 from the instructive catalyst design, including catalyst structure engineering and catalyst component engineering, and then briefly discuss the electrolyte effect. Furthermore, we also provide a simplified techno-economic analysis of this technology. These summaries are helpful for beginners to rapidly master the contents related to the electroreduction of carbon dioxide to methane and also help to promote the further development of this field.