Systems and methods for making carbon nanostructures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023357014-A1
Application number	US-202318208088-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 9, 2023
Priority date	Oct 29, 2019
Publication date	Nov 9, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for providing an electrolysis reaction in a molten carbonate electrolyte to synthesize helical carbon nanostructures (HCNSs). The electrolyte, electrode composition, current density, temperature and additives all may have important roles in the formation of HCNS. With control of these parameters, a variety of specific, uniform high yield HCNS can be synthesized by molten carbonate electrolysis, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

First claim

We claim:

1 - 22 . (canceled)

23 . A system for making a helical carbon nanostructure (HCNS), the system comprising:
(a) an anode; (b) a cathode; (c) an inter-electrode space that is defined between the anode and the cathode; (d) a source of current for applying a current density that is at least 0.2 A / cm 2 across the electrodes; (e) a source of heat for regulating the inter-electrode space at a temperature of at least about 725° C.; (f) a source of carbon for introducing a carbon input into the inter-electrode space, wherein the system is configured to apply at least two of the following parameters:
(i) heating the inter-electrode space to at least 725° C. before the step of applying a current;
(ii) introducing into the inter-electrode space an electrolyte additive agent; and
(iii) introducing iron oxide to the inter-electrode space.

24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the source of carbon is carbon dioxide gas.

25 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the current density is at least 0.4 A / cm 2 .

26 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the temperature is at least about 750° C.

27 . The system of claim 23 , further comprising an electrolyte that is received within the inter-electrode space.

28 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the electrolyte is a molten carbonate.

29 . The system of claim 23 , further comprising an additive within the inter-electrode space, wherein the additive is one or more of a metal oxide, a borate, a sulfate, a nitrate, a phosphate or combinations thereof.

30 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the HCNS comprises a yield of at least 20% by weight of helical carbon nanotubes (HCNTs).

31 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the HCNS comprises a yield of at least 20% by weight of double stranded HCNTs.

32 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the HCNS comprises a yield of at least 20% by weight of braided HCNTs.

33 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the HCNS comprises a yield of at least 20% by weight of helical nano-platelets (HCNPs).

34 . The system of claim 33 , wherein the HCNPs comprises one or more structures with a corkscrew shape, a solid tube, a hollow tube and any combinations thereof.

Assignees

• C2Cnt Llc

Inventors

• Licht Stuart
• Licht Gad

Classifications

• C01B32/16 Primary

  Preparation · CPC title

• B82Y40/00

  Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures · CPC title

• C25B1/135 Primary

  Carbon · CPC title

• C01P2004/03

  obtained by SEM · CPC title

• C01B32/166

  in liquid phase · CPC title