科学突破使二氧化碳"呼吸"电池更接近现实

Scientists at the University of Surrey have made a breakthrough in eco-friendly batteries that not only store more energy but could also help tackle greenhouse gas emissions. Lithium-CO₂ 'breathing' batteries release power while capturing carbon dioxide, offering a greener alternative that may one day outperform today's lithium-ion batteries.
萨里大学的科学家们在环保电池领域取得突破，这种电池不仅能储存更多能量，还有助于应对温室燃料费排放。锂-二氧化碳"呼吸"电池在释放能量的同时捕获二氧化碳，提供了一种更环保的替代方案，未来可能超越目前的锂离子电池。

Until now, Lithium-CO₂ batteries have faced setbacks in efficiency -- wearing out quickly, failing to recharge and relying on expensive rare materials such as platinum. However, researchers from Surrey have found a way to overcome these issues by using a low-cost catalyst called caesium phosphomolybdate (CPM). Using computer modelling and lab experiments, tests showed this simple change allowed the battery to store significantly more energy, charge with far less power and run for over 100 cycles.
迄今为止，锂-二氧化碳电池在效率方面一直面临挫折——损耗快、无法充电且依赖铂等昂贵稀有材料。不过，萨里大学的研究人员通过使用一种名为磷钼酸铯（CPM）的低成本催化剂，找到了克服这些问题的方法。通过计算机建模和实验室实验，测试表明这一简单改动使电池能储存更多能量，充电所需电力大幅减少，并可运行超过100次循环。

The study, published in Advanced Science, marks a promising step toward real-world applications. If commercialised, these batteries could help cut emissions from vehicles and industrial sources -- and scientists even imagine they could operate on Mars, where the atmosphere is 95% CO₂.
这项发表在《Advanced Science》上的研究标志着向实际应用迈出了有希望的一步。如果实现商业化，这些电池将有助于减少车辆和工业源的排放——科学家甚至设想它们可以在火星上运行，因为火星大气中95%是二氧化碳。

Dr Siddharth Gadkari, Lecturer in Chemical Process Engineering at the University of Surrey, and corresponding author of the study, said:
萨里大学化学过程工程讲师、该研究的通讯作者Siddharth Gadkari博士表示：

"There's a growing need for energy storage solutions that support our push toward renewable power while also tackling the growing threat of climate change. Our work on lithium-CO₂ batteries is a potential game-changer in making that vision a reality.
人们对储能解决方案的需求日益增长，这些方案既要支持我们向可再生能源转型，又要应对日益严峻的气候变化威胁。我们在锂-二氧化碳电池方面的研究有望成为实现这一愿景的关键突破。

"One of the biggest challenges with these batteries is something called 'overpotential' -- the extra energy needed to get the reaction going. You can think of it like cycling uphill before you can coast. What we've shown is that CPM flattens that hill, meaning the battery loses far less energy during each charge and discharge."
这些电池面临的最大挑战之一是一种被称为“过电位”的现象——即启动反应所需的额外能量。你可以把它想象成骑车爬坡后才能滑行。我们的研究表明，CPM能把这个坡变平，意味着电池在每次充放电过程中损失的能量要少得多。

To understand why the CPM worked so well, teams from Surrey's School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and the Advanced Technology Institute used two approaches. First, they dismantled the battery after charging and discharging to study the chemical changes inside. These post-mortem tests found that lithium carbonate, the compound formed when the battery absorbs CO₂, could be reliably built up and removed -- an essential feature for long-term use.
为了理解为什么CPM效果如此出色，萨里大学化学与化学工程学院及先进技术研究所的团队采用了两种方法。首先，他们在充放电后拆解电池以研究内部化学变化。这些post-mortem测试发现，电池吸收CO₂时形成的化合物碳酸锂能够被稳定地积累和移除——这是长期使用的关键特性。

They then turned to computer modelling using density functional theory (DFT), which allows researchers to explore how the reactions unfold on the material surface. Results showed how the CPM's stable, porous structure offered the ideal surface for key chemical reactions.
他们随后转向使用密度泛函理论（DFT）进行计算机建模，该理论能让研究人员探索反应在材料表面如何展开。结果显示CPM稳定、多孔的结构为关键化学反应提供了理想表面。

Dr Daniel Commandeur, Future Fellow at the University of Surrey and corresponding author of the study, said:
萨里大学未来研究员、该研究的通讯作者Daniel Commandeur博士表示：

"What's exciting about this discovery is that it combines strong performance with simplicity. We've shown that it's possible to build efficient lithium-CO₂ batteries using affordable, scalable materials -- no rare metals required. Our findings also open the door to designing even better catalysts in the future."
这一发现的激动人心之处在于，它兼具卓越性能与简洁设计。我们已证明利用affordable, scalable materials（无需稀有金属）即可构建高效的锂-二氧化碳电池。该研究成果还为未来设计更优质的catalysts打开了新思路。

The discovery opens new doors for developing even better low-cost, easy-to-make battery materials. With further research into how these catalysts interact with electrodes and electrolytes, lithium-CO₂ batteries could become a practical, scalable way to store clean energy, while helping reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
这一发现为开发更优质、低成本且易于制造的电池材料开启了新的大门。随着对这些催化剂如何与电极和电解质相互作用的深入研究，锂-二氧化碳电池有望成为实用且可扩展的清洁能源存储方案，同时助力减少大气中的碳含量。