Low-temperature method for electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon

Abstract

A method for converting carbon dioxide to carbon (e.g., graphite, graphene, or amorphous porous carbon), the method comprising passing the carbon dioxide through a molten anhydrous salt maintained at a temperature within a range of 400° C.-800° C. while the molten anhydrous salt is in contact with a cathode and an anode that are electrically interconnected to impart a voltage to the molten anhydrous salt, wherein the cathode has a metal composition comprising at least one of nickel, iron, and cobalt, wherein the voltage is within a range of 2 V to 3.5 V, and wherein the temperature and voltage are applied for a period of time of 5 minutes to 10 hours (or, e.g., 0.1-10 or 1-10 hours) to result in conversion of the carbon dioxide to carbon.