The Li–CO2 battery: a novel method for CO2 capture and utilization

Abstract

We report a novel primary Li–CO₂ battery that consumes pure CO₂ gas as its cathode. The battery exhibits a high discharge capacity of around 2500 mA h g⁻¹ at moderate temperatures. At 100 °C the discharge capacity is close to 1000% higher than that at 40 °C, and the temperature dependence is significantly weaker for higher surface area carbon cathodes. Ex-situ FTIR and XRD analyses convincingly show that lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) is the main component of the discharge product. The feasibility of similar primary metal–CO₂ batteries based on earth abundant metal anodes, such as Al and Mg, is demonstrated. The metal–CO₂ battery platform provides a novel approach for simultaneous capturing of CO₂ emissions and producing electrical energy.