Solar bipolar cell facilitating carbon dioxide for efficient coproduction of electricity and syngas

Herein, a novel solar system is first reported for the efficient generation of syngas and electricity by feeding solar energy plus carbon dioxide into a solar bipolar cell. The solar bipolar cell, fully driven by solar energy, is a rechargeable cycle system to realize the highly efficient co-production of electricity and syngas. The solar bipolar cell consists of hydroxide molten Cell (Ⅰ) for hydrogen production and carbonate molten Cell (Ⅱ) for carbon monoxide production, simultaneously plus the a generation of rechargeable electricity. Due to the combined utilization of solar thermal and electric effect, the solar system can charged/recharged by the potential difference of the cyclic redox reaction. The system could store electric energy (Charge) and generate syngas under solar and then release electric energy (Discharge) and syngas during not input of solar energy. The charge-discharged processes could be operated circularly for a release of fuel. The results demonstrated that the solar bipolar cell presented an overall maximum Coulomb efficiency of 85% at 450/800 °C. This work provides a new route to design a system which combines the renewable energy with the undesirable carbon dioxide for the clean and pollution-free discharged products. •A novel system is first reported for syngas generating and electricity storage.•The system is feeding solar energy and consuming CO2.•The system store electricity and product syngas under solar circularly.•Syngas production could be carried out during not input of solar energy.•Effectively improves the utilization and conversion rate of solar energy.