Converting the Liquid Electrolyte of Li Batteries into a Catalyst for CO2RR via Laser Irradiation

Li-basedbatteries are currently the most widely usedenergy storagetechnology in electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, butdiscarded batteries represent a growing environmental hazard. Theflammability of the liquid electrolyte particularly requires explorationof alternative recycling methods. Herein, we report the photochemicalconversion of usual carbonate-based electrolytes into a new catalystwith remarkable activity and selectivity for the CO2 reductionreaction. Solutions of LiPF6 in different organic solventsare first deposited on a Cu substrate and irradiated by a 1.88 eVlaser. After air exposure, a layer consisting of LiF and graphiticcarbon deposited on Cu (x) O is obtained.When tested for the electrochemical reduction of CO2, thismaterial converts in situ into an effective catalystwith a faradic efficiency as high as 46.7% for CH4, whichis maintained above 40% for at least 100 h.

Automated summary

Li-based batteries, commonly used in electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, pose an environmental risk when discarded. To explore alternative recycling methods, this study demonstrates the photochemical conversion of usual carbonate-based electrolytes into a highly active and selective catalyst for CO2 reduction. The resulting material, obtained by depositing LiPF6 solutions on a Cu substrate and irradiating with a 1.88 eV laser, exhibits a faradic efficiency of 46.7% for CH4 during electrochemical reduction of CO2, maintained above 40% for at least 100 h.