Battery Research CO₂ in, Energy out: Researchers Build A More Efficient Lithium-CO₂ Battery Prototype

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University of Surrey

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The concept of "breathing batteries" that absorb CO₂ and release energy during discharge sounds promising, but has so far failed due to electrochemical overvoltage. Researchers at the University of Surrey have found a solution without rare earths in cesium phosphomolybdate (CPM).

"Breathing batteries" is a figurative term for batteries that, during discharge or charging, absorb or release a gas—usually oxygen or carbon dioxide—from the environment, much like living organisms exchange gases while breathing. This experimental battery technology theoretically offers potential for higher energy density or more efficient use of materials, not to mention the potentially positive effect on CO₂ reduction.

However, many problems still need to be addressed, such as stability, cycle life, and reaction reversibility. One weak point is overpotential, meaning that an electrochemical reaction (like charging or discharging a battery) requires more energy than theoretically necessary because the reaction does not proceed smoothly. A catalyst can provide a solution. According to their study published in the journal Advanced Science, researchers at the University of Surrey have found a cost-effective catalyst to solve the overpotential issue.

Lithium-CO₂ Battery Prototype in A Glass

The means to the end for the scientists was cesium phosphomolybdate (CPM). Laboratory experiments and computer models showed that simply changing the battery's catalyst enabled it to store significantly more energy, charge with less power, and function over 100 charge cycles. This promising success represents a step toward the commercialization of the batteries to reduce emissions from vehicles and industrial sources. The team also dreams of operating the batteries on Mars, whose atmosphere, with 95 percent CO₂ content, seems ideal for their operation.

The research team specifically relies on the solution to the overcharging problem. Dr. Siddarth Gadkari, lecturer in chemical engineering, comments: "What we have shown is that CPM flattens this increase—meaning the battery loses significantly less energy during each charge and discharge cycle."

What Makes Cesium Phosphomolybdate So "Good"?

Teams from the Faculty of Chemistry and the Advanced Technology Institute in Surrey examined the battery in various ways to better understand the effect of CPM. The battery was disassembled after charging and discharging to study the chemical processes. These so-called post-mortem tests revealed that lithium carbonate—the compound formed when the battery absorbs CO₂—could be reliably created and removed.

Secondly, the researchers used DFT simulations (Density Functional Theory) to model chemical reactions on material surfaces. The results showed that the stable, porous structure of CPM provides an ideal surface for key reaction processes. The key: the efficient CO₂-lithium battery could be made from inexpensive and scalable materials. "Completely without rare metals," emphasizes Dr. Daniel Commandeur, Surrey Future Fellow. "Our results also open the door to the development of even better catalysts in the future." (sb)

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