Scalable fabrication of on-chip Li CO2 batteries for efficient electrocatalysts screening and energy storage mechanism study

化石燃料的逐渐枯竭和温室气体的持续排放是世界面临的两大能源和环境问题。为了解决这些世界性问题，英国成为第一个通过净零排放法律的主要经济体。新的目标要求英国在2050年前使所有温室气体排放达到净零排放。因此，如何最大限度地利用电能，平衡二氧化碳排放，成为实现低碳社会的关键问题。金属二氧化碳电池具有有效固定二氧化碳和先进的能量存储/转换的双重特征，将与清洁能源和可持续发展的国家战略完美结合。在各种金属-CO2电池中，Li-CO2电池因其较高的理论比能量密度(~1800Wh/kg)和较高的放电电位(~2.8V)而被认为是最好的候选电池。然而，锂-二氧化碳电池的发展还处于初级阶段。本课题旨在从筛选高效正极催化剂和研究反应机理两个方面对锂-二氧化碳电池进行研究。目前锂-二氧化碳电池充电电位高，反应机理不清，导致其可逆性差，循环寿命短。因此，需要付出大量的努力来寻找有效的催化剂，并了解其综合机制。该项目为快速筛选高效电催化剂和深入研究反应机理提供了一个通用的筛选和原位表征平台。本项目详细介绍了一种制作片上Li-CO2电池的具体方法。将独特的四电极电路与先进的高分辨率表征方法相结合，将揭示Li-CO2电池的结构-性能关系和潜在机理，从而进一步指导Li-CO2电池的优化。项目合作伙伴NPL(原位表征)、Johnson Matthee(材料和电池)和QinetiQ(制造和电池)将提供必要的技术诀窍，以帮助实现项目目标：制造芯片上Li-CO2电池原型；选择最佳电催化剂；构建原位表征平台并揭示潜在机理；这个项目是PI在片上器件的可扩展制造、电催化剂和电池的合理设计以及现场电化学表征方面的专业知识的自然结果。拟议工作的框架将得到萨里大学广泛的能源材料表征专业知识和基础设施以及电池制造和测试方面的广泛专业知识和设施的支持。

The gradual depletion of fossil fuels and continuous emissions of greenhouse gas are two major energy and environmental problems that confront the world. To solve these worldwide issues, the UK becomes the first major economy to pass the net-zero emissions law. The new target requires the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. Thus, how to maximise the electrical energy supplies and balance the CO2 emissions becomes a critical issue to realise the low carbon society. Metal-CO2 batteries, with the dual characteristics of both effective CO2 fixation and advanced energy storage/conversion, will be perfectly aligned with the national strategy in clean energy and sustainability. Among different metal-CO2 batteries, Li-CO2 batteries are considered the best candidates due to their high theoretical specific energy density (~1800 Wh/kg) and relatively high discharge potential (~2.8 V). However, the development of Li-CO2 batteries is still in its infancy stage. This project aims to make advancements in Li-CO2 batteries with a focus on screening efficient cathode electrocatalysts and studying reaction mechanisms.The high charge potential and unclear reaction mechanisms of current Li-CO2 batteries results in its poor reversibility and short cycle life. Therefore, massive efforts need to devote to find efficient catalysts and understand the comprehensive mechanisms. This project proposes a versatile screening and in situ characterisation platform for rapid screening of highly efficient electrocatalysts and in-depth studying of reaction mechanisms. This project details a specific method to fabricate on-chip Li-CO2 batteries. Combine a unique four-electrode circuit with advanced high-resolution characterisation methods, the structure-property relationship and underlying mechanism of Li-CO2 batteries will be revealed, which could further guide the optimisation of Li-CO2 batteries.Project partners NPL (in situ characterisations), Johnson Matthey (materials and batteries) and QinetiQ (manufacturing and batteries) will provide essential know-how in order to help achieve the project aims: to fabricate on-chip Li-CO2 batteries prototype; to select optimal electrocatalysts; to construct in situ characterisation platform and uncover the underlying mechanism; to optimise the performance of Li-CO2 batteries.This project is the natural result of the PI's expertise in the scalable fabrication of on-chip devices, rational design of electrocatalysts and battery, and in situ electrochemical characterisations. The framework of the proposed work will be underpinned by extensive energy materials characterisation expertise and infrastructure, as well as extensive expertise and facilities in battery manufacturing and testing at the University of Surrey.