Carbon nanotube wools made directly from CO2 by molten electrolysis: Value driven pathways to carbon dioxide greenhouse gas mitigation

Abstract A climate mitigation comprehensive solution is presented through the first high yield, low energy synthesis of macroscopic length carbon nanotube (“CNT”) wool from CO 2 by molten carbonate electrolysis. The CNT wool is of length suitable for weaving into carbon composites and textiles. Growing CO 2 concentrations, and the concurrent climate change and species extinction, can be addressed if CO 2 becomes a sought resource rather than a greenhouse pollutant. Inexpensive carbon composites formed from carbon wool as a lighter metal, textiles or cement replacement comprise major market sinks to compactly store transformed anthropogenic CO 2 . 100×-longer CNTs grow on Monel versus steel. Monel, electrolyte equilibration, and a mixed metal nucleation facilitate the synthesis. CO 2 , the sole reactant in this transformation, is directly extractable from dilute (atmospheric) or concentrated sources, and the analyzed production cost of $660 per ton CNT is cost constrained only by the (low) cost of electricity. Today's market valuation of >$100,000 per ton CNT incentivizes CO 2 removal.