Scientists developed a method to split CO2 into Oxygen & Carbon – even in space

As nations rally to mitigate global climate change, the focus remains on reducing CO₂ emissions. An innovative electrochemical strategy inspired by natural photosynthesis has emerged as a promising step towards carbon neutrality.

This groundbreaking approach, developed by a Chinese research team, splits CO₂ into oxygen (O₂) and carbon and does so without stringent pressure or temperature conditions, making it applicable in diverse environments—from underwater to outer space.

While natural photosynthesis relies on hydrogen to convert CO₂ into O₂ and glucose, the new process introduces lithium as the mediator. The team’s electrochemical device comprises a gas cathode with a nanoscale cocatalyst made of ruthenium and cobalt (RuCo) and a metallic lithium anode.

When CO₂ is fed into the cathode, a two-step electrochemical reduction occurs. First, lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) forms, which further reacts to produce lithium oxide (Li₂O) and elemental carbon. In the final step, Li₂O undergoes electrocatalytic oxidation, yielding lithium ions and oxygen gas.

This innovative method achieves an oxygen yield exceeding 98.6%, a significant improvement over natural photosynthesis’s efficiency.

The team successfully tested the method with various CO₂-containing gas mixtures, including simulated flue gas, a CO₂/O₂ mixture, and Mars gas. The process proved effective under conditions replicating the Martian atmosphere, predominantly CO₂ at less than 1% of Earth’s atmospheric pressure.

Electrochemical reactor converts CO2 removed from air into useful material

This technology’s versatility opens doors to applications ranging from Mars exploration and oxygen supply for spacesuits to underwater life support and industrial waste treatment.

If powered by renewable energy, this method could be a game-changer for carbon neutrality. Beyond reducing CO₂ emissions, it offers a practical and controllable solution for oxygen production with vast potential for terrestrial and extraterrestrial use.

This advancement showcases the power of scientific innovation in addressing global challenges, from purifying indoor air to enabling space missions.

Journal Reference:

1. Dr. Wei Li, Dr. Xiaowei Mu, Dr. Sixie Yang, Dr. Di Wang, Prof. Yonggang Wang, Prof. Haoshen Zhou, Prof. Ping He. Artificial carbon neutrality through aprotic CO₂ splitting. Angewandte Chemie. DOI: 10.1002/anie.202422888