Molten salt electrochemical upcycling of CO2 to graphite for high performance battery anodes

Thapaliya, Bishnu Prasad; Ivanov, Alexander S.; Chao, Hsin-Yun; Lamm, Meghan; Chi, Miaofang; Meyer III, Harry M.; Sun, Xiao-Guang; Aytug, Tolga; Dai, Sheng; Mahurin, Shannon M.

doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118151

Molten salt electrochemical upcycling of CO₂ to graphite for high performance battery anodes

Journal Article · Sat May 20 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Carbon

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118151· OSTI ID:1985387

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Chemical Sciences Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Chemical Sciences Division; University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)

The efficient transformation of CO₂ into a value-added material is a potential strategy to help mitigate climate effects caused by CO₂ emissions. One potential CO₂ conversion product is graphite which is an important and versatile material extensively used in many applications including as an anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Commercial graphite, however, is traditionally synthesized via the energy intensive Acheson process (>3000 °C) and the performance of such graphite can be limited under fast charging conditions which is important for vehicle electrification. We report the electrochemical transformation of CO₂ to highly crystalline nano-graphite with a controlled microstructure in a carbonate molten salt at 780 °C. The use of a nickel foam electrode and controlled electrochemical parameters during the molten salt conversion process yielded pure graphite at a lower temperature compared to the Acheson process. Moreover, when investigated as an anode material for LIBs, the CO₂-converted graphite exhibited high reversible capacity, long cycle life, and excellent rate capability even under fast charging conditions. This process provides a way to potentially reduce carbon emissions through the utilization of waste CO₂ by converting it into value-added graphite suitable for fast charging, high-energy-density batteries for vehicle electrification.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357; AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1985387

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2000211

Journal Information:: Carbon, Journal Name: Carbon Journal Issue: N/A Vol. 212; ISSN 0008-6223

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Molten salt electrochemical upcycling of CO2 to graphite for high performance battery anodes

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