Internship: CO2 conversion into Carbon Nanotubes in molten Salts

Field (chemistry, materials and energy)

CO₂ conversion into solid materials in a molten salt represents an innovative approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while generating high value-added materials [1]. Thanks to the thermal stability and electrochemical properties of molten salts, the project aims at efficient conversion of CO₂ into solid carbon in the form of nanotubes. The latter have numerous applications, notably in electronics, composite materials and energy. By integrating this technology, it is possible to combine the fight against climate change with the development of a circular economy based on sustainable resources.

The host team, I2E (Interfaces, Electrochimie, Energie), from the IRCP laboratory at Chimie ParisTech – PSL already has considerable expertise in the electrochemical conversion of CO2 in molten alkaline carbonate-based salts into products such as CO or oxalates [2]. The aim here is to consider the conversion of CO2 into carbon nano objects.

To achieve this, electrochemical measurements (cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, etc.) will be performed to understand the CO₂ reduction mechanisms in the chosen salt. The optimisation of certain experimental parameters will be carried out (temperature, quantity/purity of injected CO2, deposition potential,..) and the choice of electrodes will be a challenge [3]. Ex situ characterisation analyses (SEM, TEM, XRD,…) will be used to analyse the morphology and growth of the nanotubes and then after prolonged electrolysis, the faradic yields can be evaluated.

Ideally, the candidate should have expertise in chemistry, and more particularly electrochemistry if possible. The internship, lasting 4 to 6 months, will be 100% face-to-face with the host team, between mid-January and mid-July.

[1] A. Yu et al., Sustainable Carbons and Fuels: Recent Advances of CO2 Conversion in Molten Salts, Chem.Sus.Chem, 2020, 13, 6229-6245

[2] H. Meskine et al, IJHE, 2021, 46, 14944-14952

[3] M. Jiang et al, J Elecrochem. Soc., 2017, 164 D1022