Self-powered carbon-neutral system

A carbon capture and utilization strategy, especially the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR), is a promising option for achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating climate change. However, currently, the electricity employed for the eCO2RR is mainly derived from gray electricity, and it is often difficult to offset the carbon emissions from power generation of the eCO2RR, which cannot truly achieve carbon neutrality. To circumvent these issues, a self-powered carbon-neutral system integrating the triboelectric nanogenerator-electromagnetic generator (TENG-EMG) with the eCO2RR for industrial exhaust gases is constructed. In this system, the TENG-EMG-based composite generator can convert the kinetic energy of industrial flue gases into green electricity. Subsequently, single-atom copper catalysts can efficiently utilize the electricity generated by generators to realize a remarkably high Faraday efficiency for ethanol. In sharp contrast to traditional eCO2RRs, a self-driven carbon-neutral system can dramatically reduce the costs of generating and transmitting electricity and can truly achieve zero or even negative carbon emissions.