Transformation of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to graphene

Abstract The deployment of graphene has been slow due to its high cost and high carbon footprint. A low carbon footprint, inexpensive synthesis of graphene, consuming rather than emitting CO2, is introduced to overcome these obstacles. This is accomplished here by direct molten carbonate electrolytic splitting of the greenhouse gas CO2 to a nano-thin carbon product (carbon nanoplatelets) comprised of 25–125 graphene layers, and subsequent electrochemical exfoliation of the nanoplatelets to graphene in a carbonate soluble aqueous solution. The sole products of the carbon dioxide electrolysis are straightforward: high yield carbon nanoplatelets and oxygen. The carbon nano platelets provides a thinner starting point than a conventional graphite reactant to facilitate electrochemical exfoliation. The resultant valuable product (graphene) incentivizes utilization of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.