Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Columbia University have made a significant breakthrough in the field of carbon capture and storage. They have developed a method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2), a potent greenhouse gas, into carbon nanofibers, materials with a wide range of unique properties and many potential long-term uses.
This innovative strategy uses tandem electrochemical and thermochemical reactions run at relatively low temperatures and ambient pressure. The process could successfully lock carbon away in a useful solid form to offset or even achieve negative carbon emissions.
The researchers highlight that the carbon nanofibers produced can be incorporated into cement to strengthen it. This would lock the carbon away in concrete for at least 50 years, potentially longer. By then, the world should have shifted to primarily renewable energy sources that don’t emit carbon.
An added benefit of this process is the production of hydrogen gas (H2), a promising alternative fuel that, when used, creates zero emissions.
The novelty of this work lies in the conversion of CO2 into a value-added, solid, and useful form. This approach contrasts with other methods that store CO2 gas, which can lead to leaks, or convert CO2 into carbon-based chemicals or fuels that are used right away, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere.
The researchers found a process that can occur at about 400 degrees Celsius, a much more practical, industrially achievable temperature compared to other heat-driven processes that require temperatures in excess of 1,000 degrees Celsius.
This development represents a significant step forward in the fight against climate change, offering a practical and valuable method for carbon capture and storage.