Emerging Strategies in Engineering Cu-ZnO Interfacial Sites for CO ₂ -to-Methanol: Mechanistic Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities

CO2 hydrogenation to methanol represents a promising route for the utilization of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Among the various catalysts developed, Cu-ZnO-based catalysts have emerged as the most viable candidates due to their favorable cost-performance balance. However, significant challenges impede their widespread application, which includes debates on the nature of active sites and the reaction mechanism, the demand for more efficient catalyst configurations, and the formidable obstacle of scaling up laboratory successes to industrial processes. This perspective provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress and future directions for Cu-ZnO-based catalysts in CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. It covers advanced in situ/operando characterization techniques, innovative catalyst design strategies, and a critical assessment of industrial implementation scenarios. Through this analysis, this perspective aims to offer valuable insights and identify research opportunities to accelerate the development of CO2-to-methanol technologies.