Low-Cost and Efficient Green Device for CO2 Recycling and Energy Storage

Principal Investigator: Professor Dennis Y.C. LEUNG (Professor from Department of Mechanical Engineering)

This project is showcased in the fourth exhibition – Innovation for Impacts.

About the scholar

Professor Dennis Y.C. LEUNG

Research interests:
• To develop new technologies for renewable energy and environmental protection


Email: ycleung@hku.hk
Website: https://www.mech.hku.hk/academic-staff/Leung-DYC

Project information

The Al-CO2 battery project strives to create an affordable, highly efficient, and eco-friendly energy storage solution by harnessing CO2 as the fuel at the cathode and employing aluminium as the anode material. The research is concentrated on enhancing catalysts, fine-tuning battery design, and seamlessly integrating it with renewable energy systems. Al-CO2 batteries have the potential to enhance energy storage by capturing and utilizing CO2, thereby making a substantial contribution to global initiatives aimed at combating climate change and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

Novelty

  • Utilizes CO2 as fuel for reversible battery;
  • Employs non-noble, cost-effective catalysts, such as nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes, for CO2 electroreduction;
  • Optimizes battery design and operation, enhancing performance and efficiency in various conditions;
  • Seamlessly integrates with renewable energy systems for combined energy storage and CO2 capture applications.
Project video
Project images
(a) Schematic diagram of an Al-CO2 battery; (b) Prototype of the Al-CO2 battery; (c) TEM image of the N-CNT cathode.
(a) Battery performance in pure CO2 and in CO2 / O2 mixture (99:1) (b) Enlarged charge-discharge curve; (c) Performance of the Al-CO2 /O2 battery under different current densities, and (d) Cycle stability test of the Al-CO2 /O2 battery.
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