From CO2 to methanol: Unveiling the path to sustainable energy with methanol
image: Biomass energy and CO2 conversion to methanol
Credit: Ephraim Bonah Agyekum*, Paul C. Okonkwo and Farhan Lafta Rashid
The global demand for methanol, both as a chemical precursor and a fuel additive, has surged, prompting a comprehensive study on its production and utilization. This research, blending bibliometric analysis with traditional review methods, casts light on the evolving trends of methanol synthesis and its applications. Despite the promise of methanol as a renewable energy source, scaling up its production from biomass and CO2 remains a challenge due to nascent technologies.
The study reveals that the biochemical conversion process of CO2 to methanol, though promising, is still confined to the laboratory stage. Notably, Cu-based catalysts, particularly those containing Zn, stand out for their superior activity in the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol. This bibliometric review indicates a steady annual growth of 3.63% in methanol-related research over the past decade, involving 867 authors. China emerges as a global leader in methanol production and consumption research, with the most significant collaborative efforts observed between China and the United States.
The research points towards future directions, including assessing the environmental impact of CO2 conversion to methanol across its entire life cycle, comparing different approaches, and optimizing procedures. It also suggests exploring flow chemistry and innovative reactor designs to enhance mass and heat transfer in catalytic reactors, potentially revolutionizing the way we produce methanol.
This study is not just an academic exercise; it's a roadmap for a sustainable energy future. By converting CO2 into methanol, we can turn a climate challenge into an energy solution, offering a clear path to reduce carbon footprints and support the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Citation: Agyekum, E.B., Okonkwo, P.C. & Rashid, F.L. Research on biomass energy and CO2 conversion to methanol: a combination of conventional and bibliometric review analysis. Carbon Res. 4, 4 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44246-024-00179-0
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About Carbon Research
The journal Carbon Research is an international multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on natural and engineered carbonaceous materials that are associated with ecological and environmental functions, energy generation, and global change. It is a fully Open Access (OA) journal and the Article Publishing Charges (APC) are waived until Dec 31, 2025. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient and professional platform for researchers in the field of carbon functions around the world to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science. The journal is currently indexed by Scopus and Ei Compendex, and as of June 2025, the dynamic CiteScore value is 15.4.