New process turns atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbon nanofibers
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.029133
MIT Technology Review : A new technique that could remove an important greenhouse gas from the atmosphere and use it to create a new building material has been developed by Stuart Licht of George Washington University and colleagues. The researchers created an electrolysis cell consisting of lithium oxide dissolved in molten lithium carbonate. By bubbling atmospheric carbon dioxide through the cell and heating it with a unique solar power system that uses both IR and visible light, the researchers have produced a chemical reaction that yields solid carbon, oxygen, and more lithium carbonate, which is used to continue the process. The resulting carbon can then be manufactured into a strong and lightweight structural material for the aerospace, automotive, and other industries.
