CO2 emission could be transformed into green batteries, research suggests
News
17 Mar 2016
A new study published in ACS Central Science has recommended a way in which atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) could be transformed into batteries for electric vehciles (EVs).
The research demonstrated that graphite electrodes could be replaced by carbon material from the atmosphere. The researchers also developed a new solar thermal electrochemical process (STEP) to convert atmospheric or smokestack CO2 into carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which can then be incorporated into advanced batteries such as lithium-ion used in EVs.
The technology would help transform the greenhouse gas CO2 into valuable products and offers an alternative to greenhouse gas emissions from industrial and transportation fossil fuel processes.
Stuart Licht, one of the researchers involved in the project, said: “Our new electrochemical synthesis, STEP, provides a strong economic incentive to remove the greenhouse gas CO2.”
