Comparison of Approaches for CO 2 Sequestration as Solid Carbon Products
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The growing global climate crisis linked to the rising atmospheric CO2 levels calls for urgent and innovative solutions. Fixing CO2 as valuable solid carbon products, such as carbon nanofibers or nanotubes (CNFs or CNTs), offers a promising way to potentially achieve net-negative CO2 emissions. However, direct CO2-to-solid carbon faces significant thermodynamic and kinetic constraints, especially under mild reaction conditions. This mini-review compares three emerging approaches for CO2 conversion into solid carbon: 1) using molten salt at high temperatures to produce CNFs or CNTs, 2) converting CO2 to amorphous carbon with pyrophoric liquid metals at near room temperature, and 3) employing an electrocatalytic-thermocatalytic tandem process to produce CNFs at relatively mild temperatures. We examine the underlying principles, thermodynamic driving forces, and recent advances of each approach, and discuss the challenges and opportunities in catalyst development, reactor design, and energy management. We aim to highlight CO2 fixation, facilitate net-negative CO2 emissions, and stimulate more innovations for both environmental and economic benefits.
Source: CCS Chemistry
Authors: Zhenhua Xie, Jingguang G. Chen
Institutions: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Columbia University
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4404391574