(Nanowerk News) Looking at both impacts and the economic outlook, carbon capture and carbon negativity are promising ways in the transition from fossil fuels to green energy, and their role is crucial, since it is not enough to only convert productions towards low carbon technology to mitigate climate change. Researchers at Tampere University have now developed new biocarbon-based materials that are carbon negative and sustainable.
The researchers aim to promote sustainable electrification of society by exploring value chains and business opportunities related to hydrogen and carbon. The research is part of the HYGCEL – Hydrogen and Carbon Value Chains in Green Electrification project that promotes the use of sustainably produced hydrogen and carbon as part of the energy system, as a raw material for industry and as a fuel for green transport.
The researchers want to enhance carbon capture by specifically sequestering carbon into a solid form in which carbon is stored for decades. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) directly from emission sources, such as from pipes in factories or energy plants, uses up to four times less energy than direct air capture (DAC). A carbon sink based on solid carbon products is significantly more efficient than, for example, refining into a fuel.
The production of solid carbon products can be seen in the latest research results. The researchers succeeded in developing a device that can be carbon-negative to produce a layered carbon structure, so-called carbon nano-onions, as well as carbon nanotubes and oxygen by the electrolysis of carbon dioxide. The materials were produced with renewable solar and wind energy.
A key research result is also the discovery of process parts that can withstand process conditions. They make it possible to move towards industrial application. In fact, the process is scaled to a larger size with continuous test equipment.
In the process, the carbon dioxide sequestered from emission sources is broken down into gaseous oxygen and solid carbon by a special molten salt electrolysis. As a result, carbon nanotubes are formed, which are used in the manufacture of batteries or new ultralight materials such as airplane wings and wind turbines. At best, carbon nanotubes are very valuable, even thousands of euros per gram. In industrial applications, the price is estimated at tens of thousands of euros per tonne.
By converting carbon dioxide into solid carbon products through a molten salt electrolysis, a positive climate effect is achieved. (Image: LUT University)
