Researchers propose using carbon dioxide (CO2) at the heart of energy storage devices such as lithium batteries. This would limit the emissions of this greenhouse gas.
A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, USA) has devised a new generation of lithium batteries made up partly of CO2 produced by factories, including power plants.
The idea of our researchers is to capture CO2 directly when it leaves the factory. This is preactivated by an aqueous solution of amines. These amines are not lost in the operation and can therefore be reinjected continuously. By reacting with lithium, the carbon dioxide is then transformed into lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) — MIT
This new battery already offers a tension and a competitive capacity. For now, its life does not exceed the 10 charge-discharge cycles. Further developments are therefore still to be expected.
Find out more on Cell.