Pyroelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction for methanol driven by temperature-variation

Abstract Taking the advantages of pyroelectric nanostructured materials, we use the temperature-variation, a ubiquitous phenomenon in our daily life, to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) for methanol through pyroelectrocatalytic process. Layered-perovskite bismuth tungstate nanoplates harvest heat energy from temperature-variation, driving pyroelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction for methanol at temperatures between 15 °C and 70 °C. The methanol yield can be as high as 55.0 µmol·g−1 after experiencing 20 cycles of temperature-variation. This efficient, cost-effective, and environmental-friendly pyroelectrocatalytic CO2 reduction route provides a new thought towards utilizing natural diurnal temperature-variation for future methanol economy.