Review— Modern State and Prospects of Electrochemical CO2 Conversion in Molten Salts

An innovative environmentally friendly electrochemical method with using molten salts for direct absorption and transformation of CO 2 into solid carbon-containing materials of unique structure and morphology has been developed. The paper presents a review of literature data on electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide in molten salts as well as the authors’ research results on the direct electrochemical reduction of CO 2 and Li 2 CO 3 in chloride melts into different carbonaceous materials with added value. They include: nano-scale solid carbon of various structures and morphologies (carbon nanotubes, fibers, honeycomb-like and scaly carbon nanostructures). Several variants of CO 2 electrochemical conversion have been considered, the advantages and disadvantages of each variant have been analyzed. Conditions and mechanisms of electrochemical reduction of CO 2 and Li 2 CO 3 to solid carbon are discussed. Promising applications of electrolytic carbon nanomaterials for rechargeable ion batteries, supercapacitors and catalysts are emphasized.