Bimetallic RuNi Electrocatalyst Coated MWCNTs Cathode for an Efficient and Stable Li−CO<sub>2</sub> and Li−CO<sub>2 Mars</sub> Batteries Performance with Low Overpotential
Keerti M. Naik, Ankit Kumar Chourasia, Mohd Shavez, Chandra Shekhar Sharma
Abstract
Abstract Rechargeable lithium‐CO 2 (Li−CO 2 ) batteries are an attractive energy storage technology that can reduce fossil fuel usage and limit the adverse environmental impact of CO 2 emissions. However, the high charge overpotential, unstable cycling, and incomplete understanding of the electrochemical process limit its advancement for practical applications. Herein, we develop a Li−CO 2 battery by designing a bimetallic ruthenium‐nickel catalyst onto multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (RuNi/MWCNTs) catalyst as cathode by solvothermal method, which exhibits a lower overpotential of 1.15 V and a discharge capacity of 15,165 mAh g −1 with outstanding coulombic efficiency of 97.4 %. The battery can also operate at high rates and have a stable cycle of more than 80 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g −1 with a fixed 500 mAh g −1 capacity. Furthermore, Mars exploration is made feasible with the Li−CO 2 Mars battery composed of the RuNi/MWCNTs as cathode catalyst, which performs very similarly to that of pure CO 2 atmosphere. This approach may simplify the process of developing high‐performance Li−CO 2 batteries to achieve carbon negativity on Earth and for future interplanetary Mars missions.