Advancements and potentials of molten salt CO2 capture and electrochemical transformation (MSCC-ET) process

Electroreduction of CO2 in molten salts, also called molten salt carbon capture and electrochemical transformation (MSCC-ET), can convert CO2 into value-added carbonaceous materials or CO in a comparably high rate with high energy efficiency. It shows a promising potential to contribute to the earth's atmospheric carbon balance, the intermittent renewable energy storage, carbon materials production, and air quality control of the local environment. This short review briefly introduces the principle of the MSCC-ET process, the state-of-the-art of the process, its potential of commercialization in terms of process efficiency, product marketing and economy, and finally, the opportunities and challenges in future research and development.