|
|||||
|
|
Overall Carbon-neutral Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 in Molten Salts using a Liquid Metal Sn Cathode |
|
| Authors: | Shuangxi Jing Ren Sheng Dr Xinxin Liang Prof Dong Gu Dr Yuhao Peng Prof Juanxiu Xiao Prof Yijun Shen Prof Di Hu Prof Wei Xiao |
| Institution: | 1. College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 P. R. China
Contribution: Data curation (lead), Formal analysis (lead), Writing - original draft (lead);2. College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 P. R. China Contribution: Data curation (supporting), Formal analysis (supporting), Validation (supporting);3. The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 P. R. China Contribution: Conceptualization (supporting), Funding acquisition (supporting), Validation (supporting);4. State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228 P. R. China Contribution: Conceptualization (supporting), Funding acquisition (supporting), Validation (supporting);5. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100 P. R. China Contribution: Conceptualization (supporting), Funding acquisition (supporting), Validation (supporting);6. College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 P. R. China |
| Abstract: | An overall carbon-neutral CO2 electroreduction requires enhanced conversion efficiency and intensified functionality of CO2-derived products to balance the carbon footprint from CO2 electroreduction against fixed CO2. A liquid Sn cathode is herein introduced into electrochemical reduction of CO2 in molten salts to fabricate core–shell Sn−C spheres (Sn@C). An in situ generated Li2SnO3/C directs a self-template formation of Sn@C. Benefitting from the accelerated reaction kinetics from the liquid Sn cathode and the core–shell structure of Sn@C, a CO2-fixation current efficiency higher than 84 % and a high reversible lithium-storage capacity of Sn@C are achieved. The versatility of this strategy is demonstrated by other low melting point metals, such as Zn and Bi. This process integrates energy-efficient CO2 conversion and template-free fabrication of value-added metal-carbon, achieving an overall carbon-neutral electrochemical reduction of CO2. |
| Keywords: | CO2 Fixation Electrochemistry Energy Storage Liquid Metal Cathode Molten Salt |