<aside> 💡 Using CO2 to produce carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through the use of titanium mesh electrodes in molten salt electrolysis, hence reducing cost and increasing scalability of CNT manufacturing.

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Executive Summary Problem**:** Carbon nanotubes are far too expensive with current production methods, but they could be very useful in a wide range of applications. Using carbon dioxide from carbon capture has been looked into, however the current methods are ineffective and lacking in scalability potential because of the use of iron for a cathode. The iron isn't stable because it oxidizes with oxygen, and as a result, strict environmental controls have to be put in place which is costly and inefficient.

Solution**:** Our solution is using a molten salt electrolysis process with titanium mesh electrodes. Titanium mesh electrodes are resistant to oxidation and reduction, have a power consumption that’s reduced by 10–20%, and have a working life of more than 6 years.

Outcome**:** The outcome is reduced cost and increased efficiency for the carbon dioxide conversion process to carbon nanotubes. They will be prepared at an efficiency rate between approximately 80% and 100%. At $0.10 USD per kWh, this results in about $800 to $1600 per metric ton of carbon nanotubes produced, alongside an initial cost of $6000 for the electrolyte. The total price to produce a metric ton of carbon nanotubes is about $8000, in comparison to approximately $25,000 through conventional production processes.

Why is this a problem?

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are cylindrical molecules that consist of rolled-up sheets of single-layer carbon atoms (graphene), have hundreds of applications ranging from solar energy transparent conducting electrodes to vehicle enhancement. They are flexible, lightweight, more conductive than copper, and stronger than steel. And yet, we don't see their widespread implementation. If we examine the "why" behind this, cost is a major factor. This is evidently not ideal because there is a market of around 4.5 billion U.S. dollars for carbon nanotubes. Now, it needs to be about turning the buzz of a super material like carbon nanotubes into implementation for real-world implications. Having the capability to take something we don't want like carbon dioxide gas from carbon capture, of which 43 billion tons are released annually, and make it into something that several industries could benefit from is an incredible opportunity.

What is the opportunity for carbon nanotubes?

Carbon nanotubes have numerous unique properties. For one, they demonstrate extremely high tensile strength (at least 117 times stronger than steel and 30 times stronger than the material used in bulletproof vests) due to their carbon-carbon bonds. Besides that, their plentiful delocalized electrons and cylindrical shape make for good electrical conductivity. Other useful properties include:

All these properties make carbon nanotubes ideal for a wide range of applications in fields spanning healthcare to electronics. Some of the most notable include: