Conversion of CO2-Derived Amorphous Carbon into Flash Graphene Additives

CO2 emissions have become a significant environmental problem over the last few decades, often stemming from combustion of fossil fuels. Production and disposal of waste plastic also contribute greatly to greenhouse gas emissions, due to combustion of fossil fuels during manufacture and incineration or pyrolysis of the waste materials. Hence, researchers have begun developing technologies geared toward the capture, sequestration, and utilization of CO2. Several methods are shown to be useful for conversion of gaseous CO2 into solid carbon feedstocks, such as molten carbonate electrolysis. At the same time, flash Joule heating can rapidly and inexpensively convert carbon-rich feedstocks into flash graphene (FG). Here, amorphous carbon derived from molten carbonate electrolysis of carbon dioxide is converted into FG, sometimes in combination with waste plastic, and demonstrated for use as a reinforcing additive in composite applications. FG can be used in epoxy and vinyl ester resins with a maximum increase in Young's modulus and hardness of 73% and 73%, respectively. Life cycle assessment also shows that adding 5 wt% 25:75 amorphous carbon-derived FG to the epoxy results in 7.7%, 5%, and 2.7% decreases in CO2 emissions, water consumption, and energy consumption, respectively.

Automated summary

CO2 emissions and waste plastic contribute greatly to environmental problems, and researchers are developing technologies for capturing, sequestrating, and utilizing CO2. Two methods, molten carbonate electrolysis and flash Joule heating, have shown promise in converting gaseous CO2 into solid carbon feedstocks and flash graphene. The combination of flash graphene and waste plastic as a reinforcing additive in composite applications can increase material properties and reduce CO2 emissions, water consumption, and energy consumption.