Electrocatalytic CO2/CO Reduction to Propanol: A Critical Review

Anthropogenic carbon emissions and the 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 faradaic 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 the 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.