Magnesiothermic sequestration of CO2 into carbon nanomaterials for electrochemical energy storage: A mini review

Abstract

Selective conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals for clean energy storage represents a powerful solution towards a low-carbon economy. Significant progresses have been made in the past decade to obtain advanced carbon materials with targeted physical and chemical properties using magnesiothermic technology with CO2 and Mg as feedstock. In this tutorial review, a developmental story of magnesiothermically sequestrated carbon nanostructures is depicted together with their electrochemical applications. The fundamental thermodynamics in magnesiothermic reaction is also introduced to emphasize the structural design strategy of carbon products with suitable performances for energy harvesting. Then the recent progresses of these carbon materials as active electrodes in electrochemical energy storage devices are systematically reviewed, including supercapacitors, rechargeable lithium ion batteries, lithium sulfur batteries and lithium oxygen batteries. In the end, challenges and perspectives are envisioned for the further research in carbon nanomaterials by magnesiothermic sequestration. This mini review is anticipated to promote a better understanding and further effort in CO2 utilization.