Self-powered carbon-neutral system

A carbon capture and utilization strategy, especially the electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (eCO 2 RR), is a promising option for achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating climate change. However, currently, the electricity employed for the eCO 2 RR is mainly derived from gray electricity, and it is often difficult to offset the carbon emissions from power generation of the eCO 2 RR, 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 eCO 2 RR 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 eCO 2 RRs, 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.