Recent advancement in designing catalysts for rechargeable Li–CO2 batteries

Rechargeable Li–CO₂ batteries have attracted tremendous attention, owing to their properties of productive CO₂ fixation, and energy storage and conversion. However, insulating and thermodynamically stable discharge products (e.g. Li₂CO₃) lead to sluggish CO₂ reduction/evolution kinetics, low energy density, high overpotential and limited cycling life of the batteries, which restrict the development and application of practical Li–CO₂ batteries. To resolve these issues, it is essential to explore efficient cathodic catalysts that can either prevent Li₂C₂O₄ disproportionation reactions to generate Li₂CO₃ or enhance the CO₂ evolution reaction. In this review, the primary focus is on the designing of cathodic catalysts, which include precious metal-based materials, carbon-based materials, transition metal-based materials and soluble catalysts. Updated research achievements in the field of cathodic catalysts are summarized. Furthermore, based on a comprehensive overview of the state of research progress, some innovative perspectives and critical scientific challenges are also put forward for the practical application of Li–CO₂ batteries.