CO reduction on the Li-Ga liquid metal surface

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2023-04, Vol.11 (16), p.889-8816
• Main Authors: Ye, Linlin, Syed, Nitu, Wang, Dingqi, Murdoch, Billy J, Zuraqi, Karma, Alivand, Masood S, Xiao, Penny, Singh, Ranjeet, Zu, Lianhai, Mumford, Kathryn A, Ellis, Amanda V, McConville, Chris F, Li, Gang Kevin, Zavabeti, Ali
• Format: Article
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/d3ta00408b

Reducing CO 2 emissions is crucial for the future survival of the planet and the demand for innovative technologies to capture and reduce CO 2 , focusing on global net-zero carbon emissions is growing significantly. Hence, researchers worldwide are investigating approaches to mitigate the greenhouse effect caused by excessive emissions of CO 2 . Low melting point liquid metals offer promising opportunities to exploit novel chemistry in negative emission technologies. In this paper, a high-yield, safe and on-demand approach based on Li-containing liquid metal for the reduction of CO 2 to solid materials at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure is reported. In this process, Li metal plays a major role in driving the dissociation of CO 2 to its elemental constituents, carbon and oxygen. During the CO 2 reduction process, Li dissolved in gallium liquid metal, diffuses to the liquid-gas interface and reduces CO 2 to carbon, while undergoing an oxidation reaction. The resulting crust that forms on the surface of the Li-Ga liquid metal alloy consists of solid carbonaceous materials that can be directly utilized as a supercapacitor, achieving a sustainable process for CO 2 reduction. The use of Li-Ga liquid metal alloys enables CO 2 conversion at near room temperature producing carbonaceous materials that can be effectively integrated into energy storage systems. Gallium as a solvent liquid metal catalyst is used in an energy efficient, high yield and controlled reaction between lithium and CO 2 . A liquid metal electrode and the naturally formed surface products are used as a supercapacitor.