Research Progress of Metallic Carbon Dioxide Batteries

Due to the heavy use of fossil fuels, the emission of carbon dioxide has been steadily increased and the climate has been deteriorated severely. In order to solve these problems, various physical and chemical methods were used to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but the result is not so effective. Metal carbon dioxide batteries not only can capture carbon dioxide, but also can be used as clean energy storage devices. At the same time, the development and research of metal carbon dioxide batteries also promote the development of the electric vehicle industry towards a more economical, environmentally friendly and sustainable direction. Based on these advantages, metal carbon dioxide battery has developed rapidly in recent years. Li-CO2 batteries exhibit an extremely high discharge capacity of 17625 mAh/g and a cut-off capacity of 1000 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g, running for 100 cycles at low overpotentials. Quasi-solid state Na-CO2 batteries are non-flammable and have strong electrolyte-locking ability. It can run 400 cycles at 500 mA/g with a fixed capacity of 1000 mAh/g in pure CO2. Its electrochemical performance has the potential to be further improved. Al-CO2 battery has good application prospects and economic benefits due to the low cost of Al as well as great economic value of the sodium aluminate as discharge product. Mg-CO2 battery shows a discharge voltage plateau of 0.9 V when the volume ratio of CO2/O-2 is 1 : 1, which is higher than that of pure O-2. This paper mainly introduces the research progress of metal (lithium, sodium, aluminum, and magnesium) carbon dioxide battery, and compares the electrochemical performance of metal (lithium, sodium) carbon dioxide battery with metal (lithium, sodium) oxygen battery, puts forward the current problems of metal carbon dioxide batteries, and provides the solutions. Finally, the future development of metal carbon dioxide batteries is reviewed.