Nano-interface engineering of NiFe2O4/MoS2/MWCNTs heterostructure catalyst as cathodes in the Long-Life reversible Li-CO2 Mars batteries

Abstract

Lithium-CO2 batteries, a potential next-generation negative emission technology, are advanced energy storage devices with considerable interest in carbon neutrality for developing a sustainable environment. Additional challenges arise from the slow kinetics with poor reversibility in cycling performance and high overpotential of these batteries, limiting the further development of this technology toward large-scale implementation. Herein, we construct a NiFe2O4/MoS2/MWCNTs heterostructure nanomaterial catalyst as a cathode for Li-CO2 batteries function in the simulated Martian atmosphere (Li-CO2 Mars). The Li-CO2 Mars batteries with the proposed cathode exhibit excellent efficiency with a high discharge capacity of 26533.5 mAh g−1, a discharge plateau at ∼ 2.68 V, and high stability over 195 and 115 cycles with a limited capacity of 500 and 1000 mAh g−1, respectively. Computational studies demonstrate that improved CO2 adsorption with favorable discharge product growth using the heterostructure catalyst promotes the exceptional performance of the Li-CO2 Mars batteries consistent with the ex-situ experimental studies. The outcome of this study offers a novel approach to the design and construction of efficient multifunctional electrocatalysts, which can be used to develop sustainable and clean energy systems for both Earth and Mars missions.