Progress in Li₂C₂O₄-Based Pathway Toward Low-Polarization Li-CO₂ Batteries

Li-CO₂ batteries represent a promising electrochemical system that integrates energy storage with CO₂ conversion, making them one of the most prominent areas of current research. However, Li-CO₂ batteries following the conventional Li₂CO₃-based pathway generally suffer from large overpotentials and low energy efficiency. Recently, an alternative Li₂C₂O₄-based pathway has been reported, demonstrating great potential to reduce discharge/charge polarization and enhance reversibility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of Li-CO₂ batteries based on the Li₂C₂O₄ pathway. It begins with a discussion of the fundamental reaction mechanisms associated with Li₂C₂O₄ formation and decomposition. Subsequently, recent progress in catalyst design and electrolyte optimization is summarized sequentially, particularly focusing on inherent correlations between interfacial electrochemical behaviors and battery performance. Finally, future research directions are outlined to guide further advancements in this emerging area.