Technology For Converting Carbon Dioxide From The Atmosphere To Carbon Fiber

A research team from George Washington University in the United States has developed a technology to directly convert carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into carbon fiber, which is very popular in industry and consumption, and is expected to promote the process of solving the problem of global warming.

The team presented the new study at the 250th national meeting and Expo of the American Chemical Society (ACS). "We have found a way to make carbon nanofibers from carbon dioxide enriched in the atmosphere," said Stuart Licht of George Washington University, who led the study. "The fibers can be used to make powerful carbon carbon composites for Boeing 787 'Dreamliner', high-end sports equipment, wind turbine blades and a range of other products."

The researchers said the study could turn carbon dioxide, which is responsible for global warming, into the most popular raw material for making carbon nanofibers. Licht called his method "diamonds from the sky.".

Richter said their approach is efficient and low-energy, requiring only a few volts of electricity, plenty of sunlight and a lot of carbon dioxide. The system uses electrolytic synthesis of nanofibers: carbon dioxide is dissolved by thermal and direct current of nickel and steel electrodes in a 750 ℃ high-temperature electrolytic cell of molten carbonate, and carbon nanofibers can be formed on steel electrodes.

The system provides heat and power through a hybrid and efficient concentrating solar system. Richter estimates that the power cost of this "solar thermal electrochemical process" is about $1000 per ton of carbon fiber products, and the operating cost of the system is a few hundred times the value of output.

"We have calculated that in an area about one tenth the size of the Sahara desert, using this method can reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide to pre industrial levels within 10 years," he said

At present, the system is being tested, and the biggest challenge for researchers is how to accumulate experience and improve production capacity to produce nanofibers of the same size. "We are expanding production rapidly and should be able to produce a lot of nanofibers in an hour," Licht said