Energy · Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts

Abstract editorial illustration accompanying the article: A plasma-treated copper surface made acetic acid, ethanol and propanol from carbon dioxide

A plasma-treated copper surface made acetic acid, ethanol and propanol from carbon dioxide

Researchers used nitrogen and carbon dioxide plasma to modify copper oxide nanostructures on a copper mesh. At −1.2 volts, the catalyst produced carbon-based products including acetic acid, ethanol and propanol, with more than 70% faradaic efficiency for products containing two or more carbon atoms.

1 month ago·72 views

Engineering & Technology

Single cobalt atoms help zinc–manganese batteries last 15,000 cycles

A manganese dioxide cathode containing isolated, high-spin cobalt atoms helped an aqueous zinc–manganese battery deliver 658 mAh per gram and run for more than 15,000 cycles. The researchers say the cobalt enabled reversible three-electron storage and helped convert deposited manganese compounds back into active material without added acid or a redox mediator.

2 months ago·53 views