A CO2-into-methane process including recycled battery waste has been created by researchers

A method which can be used to transform battery waste into fuel has been discovered by Scientists at the Technology University of Vienna (TU Wien). They have accomplished this through developing a nanocatalyst which is capable of converting carbon dioxide into methane through the use of used batteries, as well as aluminium foil.

This excellent new process works by extracting the nickel from nickel-metal hydride batteries, along with alumina from discarded aluminium foil. Doing this allows the companies to create a high-performance catalyst which has the ability to transform carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methane at low temperatures. This makes this particular method better in comparison to other methods, in which industrial catalysts need both high pressure and temperatures which exceed 500°C, as this new and improved method functions at atmospheric pressure and at 250°C.

The new and improved method, is an excellent development and it is all due to the nanocatalyst which is based at the centre of the process. This nanocatalyst is an incredibly small catalyst which has a high surface area and it makes chemical reactions more efficient.

According to the European Federation for Transport & Environment, ‘The EU could source up to 16% of its nickel demand from battery waste by 2030, enough for up to 2.4 million EV batteries annually. However, current recycling capacity is only one-tenth of what is needed.’

Furthermore, whilst methane is normally derived from fossil fuels, as it is a key industrial energy source and it is widely used in both manufacturing and heating, this process has found a way for it to be produced sustainably from carbon dioxide which had previously been captured.

A final benefit of the catalyst is that it continues to remain stable over time and this helpfully avoids the common issue deactivation which can occur due to a buildup of carbon. Moreover, it has been stated by the researchers that, ‘even when performance eventually declines, it can then be recycled back into its original materials.’

First author of the study, Dr Qaisar Maqbool, commented, “Recycling is an important step, but even greater impact can be achieved by upcycling nickel into catalysts capable of producing fuels.”

Project lead at TU Wien, Professor Günther Rupprechter, mentioned, “Our approach shows a solution to the climate problem and in a way that also helps to solve a pressing waste problem.”