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Long-term electrochemical carbon capture from diverse CO2 sources with a recirculation mode

Author

Listed:
  • Yanjie Zhai

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

  • Shanhe Gong

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Department of Mechanical Engineering
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Applied Physics)

  • Weisong Li

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

  • Qing Xia

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

  • Tingting Li

    (Southern University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Innovative Material, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sustainable Biomimetic Materials and Green Energy)

  • Jianyu Guan

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)

  • Shao-Yuan Leu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)

  • Zhen-Yu Wu

    (Southern University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Innovative Material, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sustainable Biomimetic Materials and Green Energy)

  • Shu Ping Lau

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Applied Physics
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Research Institute for Smart Energy
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality)

  • Xiao Zhang

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Department of Mechanical Engineering
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Research Institute for Smart Energy
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality
    The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing)

Abstract

Electrochemical carbon capture offers a sustainable pathway for carbon management, yet current systems are hindered by low concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), resulting in inefficiencies and limited stability. Here, we develop an electrochemical system employing a modular porous solid electrolyte (PSE) reactor for continuous, scalable carbon capture from diverse sources, including ambient air and flue gas, while regenerating high-purity CO2 ( >99%) without additional chemical input through a recirculation mode. By leveraging oxygen evolution and reduction reactions (OER/ORR) and employing sodium (bi)carbonate as a reversible cyclic mediator, the system achieves continuous CO2 capture from flue gas, delivering high Faradaic efficiencies for Na⁺ transport (~85%), and high carbon capture rates (3060 ml h−1 at 10 A, 100 cm2). Notably, direct air capture is demonstrated using ambient air, showing a long-term stability of over 2000 hours while maintaining high carbon removal efficiency (>93%) at 30 mA cm-2 and a large air treatment capacity (approximately 8820 kgair day-1 m-2), thus contributing to the goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanjie Zhai & Shanhe Gong & Weisong Li & Qing Xia & Tingting Li & Jianyu Guan & Shao-Yuan Leu & Zhen-Yu Wu & Shu Ping Lau & Xiao Zhang, 2025. "Long-term electrochemical carbon capture from diverse CO2 sources with a recirculation mode," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-65332-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65332-8
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