Recent Advances of Cu-based Heterostructures and Li-CO2 Battery Application

Abstract

Lithium carbon dioxide (Li-CO2) battery has recently attracted extensive attentions since it offers a great approach to simultaneously realize the CO2 capture and conversion. However, the sluggish kinetics and complex reaction mechanism in cathodic side significantly hinder the performance improvement of Li-CO2 battery. Highly-efficient electrocatalysts are therefore required to solve the problems in Li-CO2 battery technique. Copper (Cu) based nanomaterials that particularly contain unique heterointerfaces have been regarded as outstanding electrocatalysts for aqueous CO2 reduction reaction, despite of the scarce application in Li-CO2 battery system so far. In order to explore advanced electrocatalysts for CO2-relating reactions in Li-CO2 battery, herein, we primarily discuss the recent progress of Cu-based heterostructures and thoughtfully assess their potential electrocatalytic functionality towards the Li-CO2 battery. The Li-CO2 battery technique is first induced and analyzed. Then the Cu-based heterostructures categorized by a fascinating approach are systematically reviewed and discussed. Subsequently, the currently reported Cu-based electrocatalysts in Li-CO2 battery are summarized. Finally, the future challenges and development directions of Cu-based heterojunction electrocatalysts for Li-CO2 battery is prospected.