A new battery technology that “breathes in” carbon dioxide has been developed by scientists in the United Kingdom.
The University of Surrey research is a breakthrough in eco-friendly batteries that not only store more energy, but could also help tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr Siddharth Gadkari said their lithium–CO₂ “breathing” batteries released power while capturing carbon dioxide.
Dr Gadkari said this offered a greener alternative that may one day outperform today’s lithium-ion batteries.
He until now, Lithium-CO₂ batteries had faced setbacks in efficiency as they wore out quickly, failed to recharge and relied on expensive rare materials, such as platinum.
“There’s a growing need for energy storage solutions that support our push toward renewable energy, while also tackling the growing threat of climate change.
“Our work on lithium-CO2 batteries is a potential game changer in making that vision a reality.”
Dr Gadkari said their work involved using a low-cost catalyst called caesium phosphomolybdate (CPM).
He said computer modelling and lab tests showed this allowed the battery to store significantly more energy, charge with far less power and run for over 100 cycles.
“If commercialised, these batteries could help cut emissions from vehicles and industrial sources and they could operate on Mars, where the atmosphere is 95 percent CO2.”
Read the full study: Ultralow Overpotential in Rechargeable Li–CO2 Batteries Enabled by Caesium Phosphomolybdate as an Effective Redox Catalyst.
