From carbon dioxide gas to nano-carbonaceous additive: An electrolytic route to nanomaterials

Abstract

Nano-carbonaceous additives like carbon nanofibers (CNFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanoparticles have a wide range of properties and potential applications especially in aerospace composite materials. However, because of the applied cost intensive fabrication processes, these materials still have a limited use. The present work provides an alternative route for the synthesis of a significant nanomaterial i.e. graphene, through the electrolytic conversion of a greenhouse gas like CO2. This process will not only provide high yield, scalability and cost effectiveness, but may also, when employed on a larger scale, result in the reduction of CO2 from the atmosphere, thus, helping to mitigate the global warming. The synthetic process will employ molten carbonates electrolyte and electrodes. While some of the structure controlling variables, that determine the ultimate properties of the synthesized graphene, will be optimized. These parameters include addition of zinc as an initiator, use of transition metals to act as nucleation sites, selection of salts of various properties and the current density. The ensuing product will then be characterized using XRD, EDX and FESEM.