CHEMCARB: Direct conversion of CO2 into C

The catalytic conversion or reduction of CO2 to solids with conventional catalysts often leads to coking of the active surface. The subsequent deactivation of the catalyst then prevents the industrial utilisation of such a CCS route. In contrast, liquid catalysts and reactants can promote CO2 splitting while their unique physicochemical properties make them carbon resistant.

In this project, liquid reactants are used at room temperature to convert CO2 into solid carbon. This approach is fundamentally energetically and economically attractive as mild conditions are required and it also facilitates the separation of the solid carbon due to the low solubility of the carbon in the liquid and its different density.