Several studies have shown that the concentration of carbon dioxide(CO2) in the atmosphere is increasing to an alarming level. This increase in carbon dioxide concentration has shown a direct link between global warming and abnormal climatic pattern. The use of carbon dioxide as a source of fuel production will not only help in reducing the pollution level but can also show a new path to alternate fuel sources such as ethanol and dimethyl ether. 

Methane is one of the most used and low carbon emission energy source. However, the biggest challenge in methane usage is its transportation. Gaseous methane transportation requires a capital cost intensive pipeline infrastructure. Single step methane to methanol conversion can be a cost-effective solution to this transportation problem. Along with the transportation issue, methane to methanol conversion can also provide economical use of unutilised methane gas in petrochemical plants. Furthermore, methanol itself is an important fuel and also a raw material of other useful chemicals. Currently, methanol from methane is produced in two step process. In the first step, methane is converted into syngas while in the second step, syngas is converted into methanol. As the first step of this process is very energy intensive, the overall efficiency of this process is low. To make methane conversion into methanol more economical, a single step process is required.