A method for producing a carbon nanomaterial product comprising: heating an electrolyte media to obtain a molten electrolyte media; positioning the molten electrolyte media between an anode and a cathode of an electrolytic cell; introducing a source of carbon into the electrolytic cell; introducing an iron-free, nickel-free, chromium-containing additive into the electrolyte media before the step of heating or introducing the iron-free, nickel-free chromium-containing additive into the molten electrolyte media, in which the iron-free, nickel-free, chromium-containing additive is added in an amount of between 0.05 wt % and 2 wt %, relative to the amount of the electrolyte media or the molten electrolyte media; applying an electrical current to the cathode and the anode in the electrolytic cell; and collecting the CNM product from the cathode, the CNM product comprises a minimum relative-amount of between 50 wt % and 99 wt %, relative to a total weight of the CNM product of nano-carbon flowers.

The embodiments herein relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for forming and purifying solid carbon material from a molten carbonate salt electrolyte or spent lithium-ion batteries. Various embodiments also provide methods, apparatus, and systems for recycling certain materials including the carbonate salt electrolyte, carbon dioxide, water, etc. The system utilizes carbon dioxide in one or more processes, for example to purify the solid carbon and regenerate the carbonate salt electrolyte. These methods, apparatus, and systems may also employ a froth separator and/or heatless precipitation reactor to consume carbon dioxide in the production of solid carbon.

The embodiments herein relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for forming and purifying solid carbon material from a molten carbonate salt electrolyte or spent lithium-ion batteries. Various embodiments also provide methods, apparatus, and systems for recycling certain materials including the carbonate salt electrolyte, carbon dioxide, water, etc. The system utilizes carbon dioxide in one or more processes, for example to purify the solid carbon and regenerate the carbonate salt electrolyte. These methods, apparatus, and systems may also employ a froth separator and/or heatless precipitation reactor to consume carbon dioxide in the production of solid carbon.

An electrochemical method of recycling and regenerating transition metal oxides includes heating a mixture of salts to obtain a molten salt solution, and immersing a working electrode, a counter electrode and optionally a reference electrode into the molten salt solution, where the working electrode is electrically connected to a cathode material comprising a transition metal oxide. A voltage is applied to the working electrode, such that electrodissolution of the transition metal oxide occurs and an alkali metal species comprising lithium or sodium ions and a transition metal species comprising transition metal ions are produced in the molten salt solution. During application of the voltage and dissolution of the transition metal oxide, a regenerated transition metal oxide is concurrently electrochemically produced, e.g., in the form of a film or a powder.

A method and system for precipitating a solid using molten oxide electrolysis are presented. Using an electrical current for electrolysis in a first vessel, an oxide material is heated to form a liquid cathode. The first vessel also includes a corresponding anode. A portion of the liquid cathode is received into a second vessel that is separated from the first vessel by a conduit. The portion of the liquid cathode is allowed to cool. Precipitate of the cooled liquid cathode may then be collected in the second vessel. The precipitate may be a metal or metalloid, such as silicon. The method and system allow for continuous processing for production of a precipitate material, in contrast to batch processing of other methods or systems. For example, precipitate may be harvested from the second vessel while electrolysis is continuously performed in the first vessel.

A method and system for precipitating a solid using molten oxide electrolysis are presented. Using an electrical current for electrolysis in a first vessel, an oxide material is heated to form a liquid cathode. The first vessel also includes a corresponding anode. A portion of the liquid cathode is received into a second vessel that is separated from the first vessel by a conduit. The portion of the liquid cathode is allowed to cool. Precipitate of the cooled liquid cathode may then be collected in the second vessel. The precipitate may be a metal or metalloid, such as silicon. The method and system allow for continuous processing for production of a precipitate material, in contrast to batch processing of other methods or systems. For example, precipitate may be harvested from the second vessel while electrolysis is continuously performed in the first vessel.

An anode for electrolytic chlorine evolution in a molten salt electrolyte includes a graphite substrate and a coating including a transition metal oxide disposed on at least a portion of the substrate.

An anode for electrolytic chlorine evolution in a molten salt electrolyte includes a graphite substrate and a coating including a transition metal oxide disposed on at least a portion of the substrate.

A method of producing graphite may include beneficiating an amount of coal to form a coal char, grinding the coal char to produce a crushed char and placing the crushed char in a porous container. Then, the method includes immersing the porous container in a molten salt bath. The molten salt bath includes a graphite anode. The method further includes applying an electrical potential across the porous container and the graphite anode such that a graphite deposit forms on the graphite anode. The graphite anode is removed from the molten salt bath and the graphite deposit is separated from the graphite anode to produce graphite fragments.

A method of producing graphite may include beneficiating an amount of coal to form a coal char, grinding the coal char to produce a crushed char and placing the crushed char in a porous container. Then, the method includes immersing the porous container in a molten salt bath. The molten salt bath includes a graphite anode. The method further includes applying an electrical potential across the porous container and the graphite anode such that a graphite deposit forms on the graphite anode. The graphite anode is removed from the molten salt bath and the graphite deposit is separated from the graphite anode to produce graphite fragments.