Low-Cost Battery Absorbs Carbon Dioxide While Charging, Ensures Responsible Disposal

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a battery-like device that is capable of selectively absorbing carbon dioxide during its charging process and releasing it in a controlled manner for reuse or effective disposal.

Gabriella Bocchetti

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A small coin-sized device, the supercapacitor has been designed to be cost-effective from the ground up. It¡¯s made using sustainable materials like coconut shells and seawater. According to the researchers behind the supercapacitor, the materials required to make it are abundantly scattered across the world and are cheap.

The supercapacitor makes use of two electrodes and instead of using chemical reactions like a conventional battery, it stores energy by the movement of electrons between the electrode plate. This offers it a longer lifespan compared to conventional batteries.

The supercapacitor however doesn't spontaneously absorb CO2, it has to be charging in order for it to suck in CO2.

When the electrodes are charged, the negative plate draws in the CO2 gas whilst ignoring other kinds of emissions such as water, oxygen or even nitrogen that don¡¯t really are responsible for climate change. With this method, the supercapacitor ensures to both capture carbon and store energy.

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Researchers say that by gradually alternating the current between the plates, they were able to double the amount of CO2 captured than before. Moreover, the charging and discharging process on the supercapacitor also uses less energy compared to the amine heating process that¡¯s used industrially today.

Researchers also added that their idea was to use materials that are inert and those that don¡¯t harm the environment, while also requiring disposing off less frequently. They highlight that in case of the supercapacitor, the CO2 in it dissolves into a water-based electrolyte, essentially seawater.

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