Electrocatalytic CO₂/CO reduction to propanol: a critical review

Anthropogenic carbon emissions and rising global energy demand are continuously intensifying the urgent need for immediate technological advancements for their mitigation. The electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) into valuable chemicals, such as ethylene, acetate, ethanol and propanol is attracting significant attention as a solution to the CO₂ emissions and energy crisis. Electrocatalytic production of propanol from CO₂/CO offers a more cost-effective alternative to conventional manufacturing processes. Yet, electrocatalytic CO₂/CO-to-propanol synthesis is hindered by substantial thermodynamic barriers, low Faraday efficiency, poor energy efficiency, and complex coupling mechanisms between C₁ and C₂ active intermediates. Given these challenges, a deeper understanding of the CO₂/CO-to-propanol conversion mechanism and the characteristics of effective catalysts is crucial. This timely review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in catalyst design, reaction conditions and electrode-electrolyte interface chemistry for CO₂/CO reduction to propanol across a broad range of catalyst substrates. This review also highlights the fundamental limitations and prospects in propanol production through electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂/CO, offering valuable insights into the emerging field.