Lattice matching strategy in Cu-based oxides for large-scale and long-term thermochemical energy storage

Redox-active metal oxides, particularly Cu-based oxide, are noteworthy for their economic feasibility and potential as a recyclable, zero-carbon energy source. These materials are poised to serve as a sustainable solution for large-scale and long-term thermochemical energy storage (TCES), thereby mitigating the intermittency challenges inherent in renewable energy systems. However, a significant impediment to their performance is the materials sintering at elevated temperatures, which precipitate a decline in cyclic reversibility, often manifesting even within the initial cycle of operation. To counteract this limitation, we proposed an innovative approach that leverages the concept of lattice matching, augmented by the incorporation of cigarette butts in the synthesis process to fabricate a Cu-Ce heterogeneous interface. This matched lattice preserved the integrity of the TCES material's porous architecture. Additionally, the lattice oxygen within this composite exhibits a transferability. Even after a prolonged period of two years under ambient air conditions, the TCES material retains the capacity to discharge a remarkable 99.4 % of its adsorbed energy. Furthermore, over the course of 600 cycles, the system's stability is remarkably preserved at 98–100 %, and reversible loss of pure CuO is ∼40 % within the initial cycle. Given these attributes, this TCES material emerges as a promising candidate for industrial applications. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.