High-efficiency metal-free CO2 mineralization battery using organic redox catalysts

CO 2 batteries offer a promising avenue for mitigating CO 2 emissions and conversion, but encounter challenges such as high costs, dendrite, corrosion, flooding and slow kinetics stemming from the use of metal electrodes. CO 2 mineralization is thermodynamically favorable (ΔG CO2 ), presenting an opportunity for processing solid waste and reducing CO 2 emissions while potentially producing energy. However, the lack of direct electron transfer in the CO 2 mineralization reaction hinders the direct generation of electrical energy. Here, we propose an organic CO 2 mineralization battery (OCMB) without using metal, which efficiently harnesses CO 2 to mineralize solid waste carbide slag, maximizing the recovery of mineralization reaction energy to generate electricity and produce carbonate products, without requiring renewable electricity charging. We employ a high-solubility, stable under strong alkaline conditions, and fast kinetics organic phenazine derivative—DSPZ as the electron and proton carrier, which facilitates the conversion of ΔpH between electrodes by interacting with alkaline wastes and CO 2 into electricity. Simultaneously, the OCMB undergoes regeneration cycles through mineralization reactions. The theoretical model predicted the open circuit voltage (OCV) and discharge behavior of OCMB, offering insights for improved battery engineering. We demonstrate an impressive peak power density exceeding 227.5 W/m 2 for the OCMB, with an estimated electricity production of ∼ 178.03 kWh per ton of CO 2 mineralization. This research underscores the potential integration of OCMBs into CO 2 energy systems, waste treatment processes, and chemical production, offering both economic and environmental benefits.