Photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide into methanol using zinc-copper-M(III) (MÂ =Â aluminum, gallium) layered double hydroxides

► Photocatalysts to convert carbon dioxide into methanol using hydrogen were found. ► Semiconductor layered double hydroxides were effective to photo-reduce CO2. ► Copper sites in the interlayer space of LDHs bound CO2 to convert to methanol or CO. ► The octahedral sites of ordered LDHs were retained during photoreduction of CO2. ► ZnCuGa LDH was most selective to methanol whereas ZnAl LDH was most active.