From pollution to fuel: Advances in electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 and CO to propanol

As the world faces the urgent challenges of climate change and the transition to sustainable energy, a new critical review provides a comprehensive roadmap for converting waste carbon dioxide (CO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) into propanol, a valuable fuel and industrial chemical. Published by researchers from Korea University and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), the review highlights innovative strategies and outlines future directions for efficient, scalable production of propanol, a vital alcohol used in fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

Propanol is an attractive target for green synthesis. It has a high energy density, can be used as a biofuel blend or solvent, and serves as a key ingredient in chemical manufacturing. Producing it from CO₂ a major greenhouse gas, instead of fossil fuels represents a major step toward a circular carbon economy. The review, published in Materials Futures, highlights copper (Cu) as the main catalyst for this complex reaction due to its unique ability to forge carbon-carbon bonds. However, pure Cu is not perfectly selective. The authors detail innovative strategies to engineer Cu-based catalysts such as alloying them with other metals, creating nanostructures, and designing specific surface defects to boost efficiency, selectivity, and stability for propanol production.

“Electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into high-value products like propanol is no longer just a laboratory curiosity,” said Professor Kwangyeol Lee of Korea University, a corresponding author of the review. “We are systematically identifying and overcoming the key hurdles, from the atomic-level design of catalysts to the engineering of full electrolyzer systems. This holistic view is essential for scaling up this technology to an industrial level.”

Key challenges and solutions outlined in the review

• The selectivity problem: The chemical pathway to propanol is complex and competes with other reactions, like hydrogen gas production. The review explains how advanced catalyst design can steer the reaction toward the desired product.
• The stability hurdle: Catalysts often degrade. The authors explore how new material designs enhance durability for long-term operation.
• System-level optimization: Beyond the catalyst itself, the review discusses how tweaking the electrolyte, electrode design, and operational conditions (such as current density, voltage) are crucial for improving overall efficiency and making the process commercially viable.

This work provides a valuable framework for researchers in chemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering, guiding the development of next-generation technologies to transform CO₂ from climate liability into a useful resource.

Reference

Toshali Bhoyar, Dohee Kim, Md Aftabuzzaman, Jin Young Kim and Kwangyeol Lee. Electrocatalytic CO₂/CO Reduction to Propanol: A Critical Review. Materials Futures. DOI: 10.1088/2752-5724/ae03dc

Source: EurekAlert!, press release, 2025-09-12.