Florida Patent of the Month – August 2024
C2CNT, LLC, a climate change tech startup, has secured a patent for a new technology to synthesize graphene from carbon dioxide (CO2) using molten carbonate electrolysis. This cutting-edge approach not only transforms a greenhouse gas into a valuable material but also paves the way for cost-effective and environmentally friendly graphene production.
The core of this innovation lies in the unique electrochemical process, which employs a molten carbonate electrolyte to electrolyze CO2 and produce carbon nanoplatelets on a cathode. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on transition metal catalysts, this technique minimizes their usage, thus reducing the carbon footprint associated with graphene production. The process cleverly manipulates electrolysis conditions to suppress transition metal nucleation, leading to the formation of alternative carbon nano-structures like nanoplatelets and nano-onions instead of carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
The implications of this invention are profound. By utilizing CO2 as the sole reactant, C2CNT’s method not only sequesters carbon but also creates a low-cost, scalable solution for graphene manufacturing. The graphene produced has a small lateral dimension, making it ideal for applications in lubricants, battery anodes, and composite materials. This versatility expands its utility across various industries, from energy storage to electronics.
Moreover, the process achieves a high coulombic efficiency of up to 100%, ensuring maximum yield with minimal energy consumption. This efficiency, coupled with the potential to integrate the process with industrial CO2 emissions, makes it an attractive option for carbon capture and utilization.
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